Multiple Police Officers Shot in Philadelphia Firefight as Suspect Refuses to Stop Shooting
At least six Philadelphia police officers were shot on Wednesday afternoon upon responding to a home in a North Philadelphia neighborhood called Nicetown.
Eric Gripp, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia police, tweeted, “Shooting situation ACTIVE and ONGOING on 3700 15th St. Avoid Area. Several PPD Officers have been injured. Updates will be provided as received.”
At 6:18 p.m., he tweeted that the suspect was “still firing.”
Gripp had earlier noted a “large police presence” in the neighborhood and urged media helicopters to pull back from the area.
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Reporters on the scene indicated a possible hostage situation, with Jason Martinez tweeting, “There are 2 narcotics officers inside the building with 3 prisoners right now. Another suspect may be on a lower floor doing the shooting.”
According to NBC News, officers on the scene hid behind cars to protect themselves from being hit.
The deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia police department previously stated that four officers had been shot with non-life-threatening wounds, with a fifth officer injured during the response effort.
The number of officers injured has since risen.
Temple University, located in the area, went into lockdown soon after the incident began unfolding, tweeting, “Lockdown is in effect for Health Sciences Center Campus. Seek shelter. Secure doors. Be silent. Be still. Police are responding.”
Calls to the Philadelphia Police Department and the Mayor’s Office were not immediately returned on Wednesday evening.
In a statement to PEOPLE, the Philadelphia FBI said, “We’re in communication with our partners at the Philadelphia Police Department and ready to assist if needed.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new developments.
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