Gunman ambushes, shoots at police officers in Philadelphia; Six wounded
PHILADELPHIA PA Aug 15 2019 Five Philadelphia police officers have been shot by at least one gunman who authorities say is firing at them in an ongoing shooting incident, two police sources told ABC News.
The injuries to the officers appear to be non-life threatening, the sources said, adding that an additional injury occurred due to an auto accident to a sixth officer.
The number of officers was updated shortly before 5 p.m. by Philadelphia TV station WPVI based on information from police.
Police cars were seen speeding toward the scene in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Tioga-Nicetown as armored vehicles and police in tactical gear converged on a street.
The suspect barricaded himself inside a building on 15th Street, the sources said.
About a dozen officers were seen taking cover behind cars as other officials surrounded a home with guns drawn.
A police spokesman confirmed Wednesday afternoon that a gunman was actively shooting at officers in the Nicetown section of the city. The spokesman who was reached on the public affairs phone number offered no other information.
Sgt. Eric Gripp tweeted there was at least one suspect firing at police officers.
Video shows a massive police presence in a neighborhood with dozens of police cars and officers, many of them with their guns drawn.
One officer appeared injured and was taken away in a police car. Video also showed two other officers carrying a man and putting them in the back of a police car.
One woman said she heard over 100 gunshots and saw people running for their lives.
“I heard so many gunshots… I’m scared,” she told ABC Philadelphia station WPVI.
Agents from ATF (the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) are at the scene to assist, a spokesperson said.
Philadelphia Police Sgt. Eric Gripp urged residents to avoid the area.
Temple University’s Health Sciences Center Campus was put on lockdown.
“Seek shelter. Secure doors. Be silent. Be still. Police are responding,” the university tweeted.
