A man was shot by police in South Philadelphia's Point Breeze neighborhood after confronting officers with a rifle. The incident occurred when two sheriff's deputies and a Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) employee arrived at the man's home on the 1900 block of Morris Street to conduct a property inspection with a warrant, as reported by CBS News. The 36-year-old man, identified by Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, brandished a rifle and refused entry to the officials. He then exited his home and walked away.
The man walked nearly two blocks to 16th and Chadwick streets, prompting the deputies and others to call 911. Vanore stated that the man was ordered to drop the rifle but instead turned toward the deputies. This led to one deputy firing and striking him in the shoulder. The man was hospitalized in critical condition, but no other injuries were reported.
A video of the incident shows the man walking erratically with the rifle and entering traffic, alarming a driver who fled their vehicle. NBC Philadelphia obtained the video, which showed the man's movements before the shooting. Police reported that the man posed a danger as he walked with the rifle, creating distress in the community. Local resident Sará Fleming-Donley reported hearing "four or five" gunshots, though police have not confirmed the number of shots fired as the investigation continues.
The man's identity and potential charges have not been disclosed. After the shooting, the rifle was left in the street as evidence of the incident. In a 6abc report, witness Robert Thorne expressed disbelief at seeing an armed individual walking down the street.
