Sources: Police dispatcher's husband paralyzed in shooting

A HOT-BLOODED punk took major offense to a harmless accident, shooting another man several times outside a West Philly corner store Friday.

Now, that victim - who police sources say is the husband of a department radio dispatcher - is fighting for his life at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Edward Lynn, 49, was shot six times outside A&A Deli, on Haverford Avenue near Farson, according to sources. Medics took him to the hospital, where he remained last night in critical but stable condition.

Lynn is paralyzed from the waist down, and was awaiting surgery yesterday, sources said.

Investigators were hunting down Lynn's shooter last night, a careless scumbag who they say shot the man after Lynn accidentally bumped into him inside the store while ordering a hoagie.

"It's unfortunate that these kids don't know how to handle things," said Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives, who added that the suspect and victim hadn't met before Friday's shooting. "This guy's 49; he's not looking for trouble."

Surveillance footage shows the shooter, an unidentified man believed to be in his 20s, and two of his friends confront Lynn outside the store.

An argument breaks out, and the shooter takes a swing at Lynn. More punches are thrown, and then the suspect pulls out a 9 mm pistol with an extended clip and starts blasting.

There was no answer last night at the Lynn family's home, about 2 miles from the corner store.

A neighbor said Lynn is a "nice guy" and that the family has spent most of their time since the incident at his side at the hospital.

Lynn's wife, Michelle, has worked in the Police Department for 14 years, according to city payroll records.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact police at 215-686-8477.