Man Shot Dead By Police After Firing At Officers, Stealing Cruiser In North Philadelphia

Authorities said Friday, July 4, that a man was shot and killed by police after he reportedly opened fire on officers during a domestic dispute in North Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Police Foundation

Just after 6 p.m., First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford reported that officers were summoned to the 2900 block of North Lawrence Street in the city’s Fairhill neighborhood regarding claims of an armed individual.

According to Stanford, the 40-year-old suspect started shooting from inside the house as police drew closer. Officers retaliated by taking cover. After then, the man emerged from the house and kept shooting at them.

“The male exits the property and continues to fire at the officers,” Stanford stated. “The officers take a tactical retreat between vehicles that are along the other side of the street.”

After exchanging gunfire with four officers, the suspect went inside the driver’s side of a police car and closed the door while still firing, according to detectives.

As the officers get closer to the car, he keeps shooting at them, Stanford continued. The officers are still firing. At one point, the man gets out of the car and falls on the ground.

After officers arrested him and hurried him to Temple University Hospital, he was declared dead at 6:24 p.m. His identity has not been made public yet.

According to Stanford, police think the suspect lived in the house where the domestic call came from. His motivation is still unknown.

During the shootout, no officers were hit, and there were no reports of civilian injuries. Nonetheless, authorities acknowledged that the crossfire caused property damage to a few neighboring residences and automobiles.

Inside the police car was the gun that was thought to have been used by the suspect.

The inquiry is still under progress.