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Published on January 13, 2025
Philadelphia Chaos as Four Officers Hospitalized After Violent Illegal Car Meetup, Suspects ApprehendedSource: Google Street View

Philadelphia has been shaken by recent violence that left four police officers hospitalized after attempting to disperse an illegal car meetup, as per 6ABC. The incident occurred just before midnight on Saturday, when an estimated 50 vehicles were gathered at a Target on Monument Road in Wynnefield Heights. According to CBS News, the chaos ensued as these vehicles dispersed, with some speeding towards police and causing two cruisers to swerve and crash into poles and buildings at West Tioga and North Broad streets.

Inspector D.F. Pace detailed that some drivers were behaving recklessly, speeding directly towards officers, a situation which led to two of the involved vehicles crashing into objects to avoid collision with the cars; the pandemonium resulted in serious injuries sustained by three officers, including harm to their legs, ankles, and feet, with the fourth officer's status remaining unknown as of the latest update. The suspects "were driving at a fast rate of speed, directly at responding officers, causing two vehicles to swerve, crashing into poles and buildings at the side of the road," Pace remarked in a statement obtained by 6ABC. Four individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Further compounding the events of the night, a red Chevrolet Camaro believed to have fled from the meetup struck an officer as the police attempted to make a stop at 8th and Master, leading to at least one officer discharging their weapon, although it remains unclear if anyone was hit. "As officers were attempting to stop that vehicle, the vehicle backed up and struck an officer, we know at least one officer during this incident discharged," Pace explained, as reported by 6ABC. The vehicle, which bore switched tags and was later identified as stolen, was located in Upper Darby; however, the suspect was not found at the surrounded home, despite being known to police in both Upper Darby and Philadelphia.

Amid the pursuit and collisions, three officers were taken to Temple University Medical Center, facing serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and they will undergo MRIs to ascertain the extent of potential bone fractures, according to further updates from Inspector Pace via CBS News. The condition of the officer struck by the fleeing Camaro is still unknown, investigations continue as police work to identify additional drivers through tag numbers gathered at the scene. FOX 29 has stated that no arrests have been announced aside from the initial four, and the community remains troubled by the level of violence against law enforcement. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.