A series of shootings in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia left a robbery victim in critical condition, her alleged attacker also shot and a Philadelphia Police Officer lucky to be unharmed.
The officer shot 27-year-old Krandale Smalls on the 2900 block of D Street Monday afternoon, according to authorities.
The police-involved shooting happened a few minutes after Smalls allegedly tried to rob a 37-year-old woman on the 500 block of E Hart Lane around 3:50 p.m. She struggled to keep her purse and the suspect shot her in the stomach, police said.
Officers from the 24th District took the woman to Temple Hospital where she is in critical condition. Along the way she was able to give them enough information to get a description out on the suspect.
About 15 minutes later a nine-year veteran officer spotted a man fitting the description of the robber on D Street. From just 10 feet away Smalls allegedly fired a semi-automatic handgun at the police cruiser, authorities on the scene said.
"When the officer pulled her vehicle up to this male, the male fired two shots -- striking the police car once in the driver door and once in the driver side rear door almost hitting the officer in the head," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
"(The officer) is very lucky to be alive," Small said.
The officer, while still in her car, opened fire on the suspect hitting Smalls once in the chest and grazing his head, police said.
Smalls was taken to Temple Hospital where he remained in critical condition Tuesday. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and related offenses.
No officers were hurt.
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