One man is dead after police say a traffic stop led to a shooting in West Philadelphia.
It began when an officer stopped a car on 56th and Walton Street with three men inside due to a traffic violation, according to investigators. Two of the passengers allegedly got out of the car and fled on foot while the driver allegedly took off in the vehicle.
Police say the officer caught up to one suspect, later identified as Hasson Pratt, 28, and the two began to scuffle in an alley on 56th and Pemberton. During the fight, Pratt allegedly reached for the officer’s taser and knocked his nightstick to the ground.
"It was a violent struggle," said Philadelphia Police Lieutenant Ray Evers. "His asp was taken out of his belt. There was a struggle over his taser. During the course of the actual struggle between the taser and the officer's weapon, they were close, within a foot of each other. That's when the officer discharged three times."
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Investigators say Pratt was struck twice in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say they arrested the second passenger while the driver of the car is still on the loose.
The officer was not seriously hurt in the ordeal and only suffered a few scratches. Homicide detectives, the District Attorney's Office and an Internal Affairs shooting team will investigate the officer's use of deadly force, according to officials.
