An off-duty Philadelphia police officer found himself in a dangerous shootout early Thursday morning in the Kensington neighborhood after an attempted robbery, authorities reported. CBS Philadelphia reported that the 31-year-old officer was confronted by an armed robber while standing beside his white Tesla on the 2100 block of East Westmoreland Street shortly after 5 a.m.
The suspect, who was clad in a black Off-White hooded sweatshirt, drew a gun and demanded the officer's possessions. After complying and handing over his items, the officer made an attempt to quickly run westbound towards Amber Street. It was at this moment that the assailant pursued and began to carelessly fire multiple shots at the fleeing officer. 6abc Philadelphia further reported that the officer then returned fire with his own personal weapon during the harrowing escape.
The shooter proceeded to run away eastbound on Westmoreland Street before entering a gray Chrysler 300 and speeding off southbound on Collins Avenue toward Allegheny Avenue. The officer, a 7-year veteran of the police force and assigned to the 16th District, suffered a minor leg injury during the altercation. 6abc Philadelphia described the injury as a "minor abrasion to his shin, which may have been a graze wound."
The officer was transported to Temple University Hospital, where he was treated and released. As the investigation into the robbery and shooting continues, the officer has been placed on administrative duty, a standard protocol for such events. The suspect remains at large, and it has yet to firmly be confirmed if he was struck by the gunfire during the skirmish. Police have called upon anyone with information to come forward, bolstering their efforts to apprehend the unknown gunman and to further understand the circumstances around this violent encounter.
