An Amber Alert has been issued for a Pottsville teenager.

Police say Cassidy Bowers, 17, was abducted from a home on 305 Howard Avenue in Pottsville on Saturday, around 6 a.m. She was abducted by Stephen Campion Jr., 20, according to investigators. Police say Campion assaulted another person at the home before he abducted Bowers.

Bowers stands 5-foot-8 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has shoulder length black hair and brown eyes. Police have not yet released a photo of Bowers or a description of Campion Jr.

If you have any information on this incident, please call the Pottsville Police Department at 570-622-1234.

Stay with NBC10.com for further updates on this developing story.

Related Stories:

No Prison Visits for Cobbs Creek Girl's Alleged Kidnapper

Missing Boy Found

Police Interview Children of Missing Mom
 

A man is in custody after investigators say he tried to kill his stepdaughter and shot at police officers in a fit of drunken rage.

A woman, who has not been identified, told police she was arguing with her stepfather inside their home on the 900 block of W. Silver Street around 1:15 a.m. on Saturday. During the argument, the stepfather allegedly pushed the woman to the floor. Police say the two then began to fight. After punching her stepfather in the nose, police say the woman went to the living room while the suspect remained on the second floor of the home.

Police say the woman’s cousin, who witnessed the fight, yelled for her to run out of the house. Once outside, police say the woman heard a gunshot coming from inside the home. The woman then saw her stepfather at the door with a gun pointed towards her, according to investigators. The stepfather then allegedly fired one shot at her. The woman ran behind a nearby vehicle to avoid being struck, according to police. Police say a neighbor nearby opened his door and the woman ran inside. The stepfather allegedly fired another shot at the woman but once again missed.

The woman called police who responded to the stepfather’s home. When they arrived, police say the stepfather opened the door, stared at them and then closed the door. He then allegedly fired one shot through the front door as the two officers were standing there. Investigators say the officers took cover behind a nearby vehicle. Police say the suspect then surrendered and was placed under arrest. As they arrested him, police say they also recovered a knife that he was carrying. Neither the responding officers nor the stepdaughter were hurt.

The woman as well as her cousin told police the suspect was highly intoxicated prior to the incident. The suspect was taken into custody. Police have not yet revealed the man’s identity or the specific charges against him.

Police say the ordeal was one of several violent incidents that took place in the city between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Around 7 a.m. on Saturday, Police officers shot and killed a man in Northeast Philadelphia who was allegedly armed with a butcher knife.

Around 11:40 p.m. on Friday, police say a man was arguing with a woman on Chester Avenue. The woman then allegedly stabbed him in the back with an unknown object. The man was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and treated for three stab wounds to the back. He underwent surgery and is currently in critical condition. Police have not yet identified the woman who allegedly stabbed him. No arrests have been made.

Finally, a 55-year-old woman and her 77-year-old husband are both recovering after a double stabbing on the 2100 block of Benson Street. Police say the suspect stabbed both victims in their hands and arms inside their home shortly after 11 p.m. The victims were taken to Aria-Torresdale Hospital where they are in stable condition. The suspect is reportedly the son of the two victims and was arrested and charged for the stabbing. This has not yet been confirmed by police however.
 

Police say a missing 12-year-old boy has been found.

Maurice Sorzano-Carter went missing from his Lawncrest home on the 700 block of Brighton Street on Wednesday.

On Saturday, police announced Carter was found safe. Detectives say it appears the boy ran away from home. They have not yet revealed where he was found.

RELATED STORIES:

Police Officer Accused of Torching Captain's Home

Educator Gets Job Back After Feces Firing

What Snooki Said After Meeting Gov. Christie

Camp Claims Sports Therapy Can Help Fight Gay Urges

5 Plead Guilty in Drunk Cheerleader Fall

Didn't have a chance to catch up on local news yesterday? Here's what you missed:

Postman Swipes Cash, Coupons From Customers: Police

A postal worker has been arrested after allegedly stealing cash and coupons from residents' mail.

Priest Charged After "Behavior" With Woman in Park

A Roman Catholic priest has been relieved of his duties after being charged with open lewdness.

Educator Gets Job Back After Feces Firing

An education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog feces on his ex-wife's car.

Police Officer Accused of Torching Captain's Home

An Edison Police Officer was arrested after he allegedly set fire to the home of his police captain.

'River Water,' Rubbing Alcohol Subbed for Premium Booze: AG

Investigators say rubbing alcohol with caramel coloring and "river water" were disguised as premium liquor drinks at some New Jersey bars and restaurants.

Editor's Note: 10 Questions is a new weekly feature on NBC10.com. If you know someone who we should profile, please email us. 

Jessica Billings, 26, is competing in the Miss USA pageant. She is a flight attendant and has lived in Western Pa., Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin. She now resides in Philadelphia. The Miss USA pageant gives fans the opportunity to vote their favorite contestant into the top 16. You can vote for Billings by June 15 here. The Miss USA pageant airs June 16 at 9 p.m. on NBC10.

How do you describe yourself?

I'm extroverted, a people person and I have a huge heart. I have so much gratitude for how I live my life. Watching my brother Jamie grow up (he has autism), I remember watching him for months and months learn how to ride a bike. I feel so lucky for the experiences I've had. 

How did you first get interested in pageants?

It all started for me when I was a little girl and going to parades. I was a scaredy cat. I was scared of clowns. When I was six years-old, my mom put me in a parade. I did a few pageants growing up, no makeup, just community pageants. That's when my journey began. 

Did you always want to participate in the Miss USA pageant?

It was a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I used to watch Miss USA and it was like the Super Bowl in my family. We would watch it with popcorn. I started competing in the Miss USA pageant system when I was a teenager in high school and college.

So, what's it like being a flight attendant?

I love to travel. I am a secret hippie. I spent a year in corporate America after college. After that, I decided I wanted to travel the world and become a flight attendant. My dad is a pilot and my mom was a flight attendant. I grew up with flight benefits. 

What's your favorite city in the world? 

I've traveled all over the world-- China, Russia and all over Europe. But my favorite place is Buenos Aires. I lived there for two months. You can have a bottle of wine and an amazing steak for $20. It's a very laid back culture. People enjoy being with one another. I love the way people are there. 

How has competing in pageants helped you?

I love being on stage. It's given me self-growth. It's a great way to push myself in different areas of my life. I do think pageants teach you lifelong skills. If I have to speak in front of a group, I'm prepared and confident. It's a great way to look at areas of life and look for improvement.

How do you prepare for the Miss USA competition?

There are three areas of competition-- swimsuit, evening gown and interview. There is no talent. Thank goodness for that because my talent would be falling up the stairs or down the stairs. I stay on top of current events and work with a PR (public relations) team. I work out six days a week and follow a healthy diet. I'm doing a lot of shopping. You need two to three outfit changes per day for two weeks. It's like a big vacation. 

Do you have a platform?

In the Miss USA system, there are no platforms, but I have a platform. It's autism awareness. One of the reasons why I want to win is to be able to speak about autism. I'm already involved in charities. Everything I'm already doing could be so much bigger if I had a title. I would be a Miss USA that is very involved and make a splash at Miss Universe, representing the entire country.

How do you describe your personal style?

I'm always working on my own individual style. I think of myself as a role model, fashion icon and all-around woman. My style is classy with a splash of fun. I love basic dresses with a gorgeous necklace. I'm a huge accessories girl. I get a lot of my stuff at thrift shops. 

What do you like about Philly?

The food is amazing-- between Hershey's chocolate, Tastykakes and cheesesteaks-- so much good food. The history of Philly is amazing. The cobblestone roads are preserved too.

A young girl is fighting for her life after a house fire in Southwest Philadelphia.

The fire broke out around 5:40 a.m. at a home on the 6500 block of Windsor Avenue. The blaze was controlled around 6 a.m.

Officials say a 6-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl escaped from the fire. They were taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where they are in stable condition. Firefighters also rescued a 7-year-old girl from the blaze. The girl suffered severe burns and is currently in critical condition.

Officials say the mother of the three children was at work at the time of the fire though there were other adults inside the house. In all, nine people and two pets were displaced in the fire, according to Red Cross spokesman Dave Schrader. Officials also say the home has working smoke detectors.

Another fire broke out at a high rise building in North Philadelphia. Investigators say the blaze began in the trash chute of the Fairhill Apartment Complex on the 2400 block of North 11th Street around 3 a.m. on Saturday. Smoke from the fire covered several floors inside the building.

Residents inside the building were evacuated as fire crews controlled the blaze. They were allowed back inside after two hours. No one was injured. Investigators say the fire was accidental.
 

Related Stories:

Drunk Driver Texted in Crash That Killed Teen: Prosecutor

4 Armed Men Rob Forman Mills

Awkward Exchange Between Snooki and Christie

12-Year-Old Boy Missing

 

Police say a Montgomery county woman was drunk behind the wheel and reading a text message when she hit a teenage boy and took off.

That boy, 15-year-old Dennis Kee, died from his injuries after the April 26 accident. Prosecutors say Kee was walking with a few friends along Route 309 in Hatfield when he was hit.

Another teen was treated for a broken elbow.

Authorities say Sarah Ann Derstein, 31, took off from the scene of the crash and kept texting even after the accident.

"I'm an idiot. Just got in an accident and I drove away," that's what prosecutors say Derstein texted to her aunt after the accident.

Kee's sister talked with NBC10's Chris Cato about the phone call that changed her life.

"And I was like 'He's okay, right?' And he was like, 'No, he died'. And I was like, 'No, he's okay. That can't be my brother,' " said Breanna Hitchens.

Prosecutors say Derstein's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

"I just don't understand why you would take a risk with your own life, let alone someone elses life," said Hitchens.

Derstein is charged with homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and other charges.

One of the last leaders of one of the world’s most notorious drug cartels pleaded guilty in federal court in San Diego on Friday to money laundering and conspiracy charges.

Eduardo Arellano-Felix, 56, is one of four brothers linked to Tijuana’s powerful Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO). He was arrested by Mexican authorities in Tijuana, Mexico in Oct. 2008 after a gun battle with a Mexican Special Tactical Team and extradited to the U.S. on Aug. 31, 2012.

The AFO is known as one of the most notorious multi-national drug trafficking organizations, controlling the flow of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs through the Mexican border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali into the United States. Its operations also extended into southern Mexico and Colombia.

With Arellano-Felix’s guilty plea deal on Friday, the leader could spend the next 15 years in a U.S. prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 19, when a judge is expected to formally approve the plea bargain.

According to prosecutors, Arellano-Felix – a medical doctor nicknamed “El Doctor” -- laundered money from drug deals and then used those illegal proceeds to invest into and benefit his family’s notorious drug cartel for more than a decade, from 1986 to 2002.

Arellano-Felix admitted to he was a “senior member” of the AFO.

According to the office of U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy, Friday’s plea marks the conclusion of the U.S. government’s 20-year battle to dismantle the AFO and its wide scope of violent criminal activity that plagued the Southwest border and beyond.

“I’m proud to say this is the end of an era,” Duffy said in a media statement. “When this ruthless cartel was thriving in the 1990s, we made what some considered an audacious and impossible commitment to wipe out the organization. Today, we can say we have done just that.”

DEA San Diego Special Agent in Charge William R. Sherman also said Arellano-Felix’s guilty plea is a win for law enforcement.

“This plea agreement pounds the final nail in the coffin of what used to be the Arellano-Felix Organization,” Sherman said. “The AFO, once a brutally violent cartel, now becomes a footnote in history books, while DEA and our partners focus on dismantling the drug trafficking organizations that have moved in since the AFO’s demise. We will be just as relentless in our pursuit of these new trafficking organizations and they will be brought to justice in the same manner as the AFO.”

In addition to serving time in prison, Arellano-Felix will be required to forfeit $50 million derived from illegal activity. He will waive any claim to money or property that the U.S. government has seized or can seize, that he acquired from his illegal acts.

Prosecutors and investigators say the resolution of this case was a long time coming.

Arellano-Felix and his brothers were first indicted in 1998 on drug conspiracy charges. Additional charges of racketeering, money laundering and conspiracy to distribute and import marijuana and cocaine soon followed.

Brothers and former co-leaders of the AFO, Benjamin Arellano-Felix and Francisco Javier Arellano-Felix, were captured in 2002 and 2006. They are both currently serving sentences in the U.S.

Ramon Arellano-Felix, the cartel’s enforcer, was killed in a shootout with police in 2002. In addition to the brothers, multiple top AFO lieutenants have been convicted over the years.

The operation to bring down the infamous cartel was a multi-agency project led by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, IRS and an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force created to consolidate and coordinate all law enforcement resources in the battle against major drug trafficking rings, drug kingpins and money launderers.

A 25-year-old Kenyan woman has come forward with allegations that she was kept as a domestic slave for three months by Saudi Arabian diplomats living in Northern Virginia.

The allegations come to light two weeks after News4 first reported an investigation into possible human trafficking at a Saudi-owned compound in McLean, Va.

• READ MORE: Possible Human Trafficking Investigated

The Kenyan woman -- who goes by the name Sheila -- said she was brought to the U.S. from Kenya by way of Saudi Arabia last summer, by people who forced her to work long hours each day, seven days a week, as a domestic worker.

"I used to work from 6 in the morning to 8, 10 in the evening," Sheila said by cell phone to News4's Jackie Bensen. "From Monday to Monday."

Did you ever have a day off? Bensen asked. "No," Shelia replied.

Shelia said she was rescued with the help of a Fairfax County man, Marikio, whom she met on a Facebook community for Kenyans living in the D.C. area.

He and Sheila had corresponded online for a couple of days when he grew puzzled by her reluctance to answer basic questions about where she lived and worked.

"It's very simple: 'Where you living? You should tell me where you're living.' She was hiding," he said.

She told him she lived in a high-rise in a place she knew as Falls Church, but she was not sure of the address because she was never allowed outside. He told her to look at a piece of her boss' mail to see what the address was.

Marikio arranged to help her. The rescue ended up being a harrowing one -- particularly, Marikio said, because he knew if he called 911, he risked a chance that Sheila's boss could convince police to arrest him instead, because he was in the country illegally.

Still, Sheila -- wearing a head scarf and a veil -- ran from of the lobby of Skyline Towers on Seminary Road and jumped into his car. It was the first time the two had met.

Marikio said Sheila was gaunt and in obvious pain. She told him she was hemorraghing from an untreated medical condition. He told her to go back inside and get her passport, and he'd take her to a hospital.

"She was sick, and she was shaking, and the police asked her, 'Do you want an ambulance?'" Marikio recalled. "She said yes and the ambulance came."

But, Marikio said, when she went back for her passport, she was held by the family she worked for.

"She went back, the guy was holding her. He was still holding hostage. She was screaming with her cell phone. ... I say, 'Go out!'"

Said Shelia, "I was afraid, because maybe they could have killed me. Because they have taken all my documents. They have taken my passport."

Police officers ordered the boss to return the passport, and he did. Shelia then received medical treatment.

Shelia now has an attorney, immigration attorney Regina Njogu. An investigation revealed the Saudi diplomat who brought her to the U.S. used an domestic worker visa known as an A3 visa.

"I called the embassy, and I spoke with him," Njogu said. "At first he didn't know what I was calling about. When I told him what I was calling about, he said he doesn't care, because he's a diplomat nothing will happen to him."

The Saudi Arabian embassy did not return News4's calls for comment.

Njogu said her efforts to get authorities to investigate further have been frustrating. "Basically it was a game of ping-pong. I was being referred from one place to another. I could tell from those I was speaking to that there was a great reluctance to get involved."

Now, Shelia remains in the U.S., relying on the assistance of fellow Kenyans. Her visa has expired, so she has no way to work. 

But, she said, she is grateful she can sleep in a bed instead of the floor, where she slept in the Falls Church home.

Philadelphia Police are searching for the four men, who stormed the Forman Mills along Market Street in West Philadelphia this afternoon.

The men were wearing hoodies, and bandannas across their faces, police say, when the ran into the store around 4:20 p.m.

"Everyone was tense and nervous and scared," said Sarah Moore, an employee of Forman Mills.

Sources tell NBC10's Nefertiti Jaquez there was about 20 workers and 20 customers inside the store at the time.

David McDaniel says his girlfriend, a cashier at the store, had a gun put to her head.

"She said when the gun was pointed to her face, she just got down to the floor," said McDaniel.

Police say the four men swiped the money from the cash registers, ran off and hopped into a getaway car that was waiting outside.

RELATED STORIES: 

Police Officer Accused of Torching Captain's Home

Educator Gets Job Back After Feces Firing

What Snooki Said After Meeting Gov. Christie

Camp Claims Sports Therapy Can Help Fight Gay Urges

5 Plead Guilty in Drunk Cheerleader Fall

As the Jersey Shores welcomes visitors this weekend for the unofficial start to summer, the Governor's office releases "By the Numbers: The Jersey Shore" showing some interesting facts about the Garden State.

• More Than 2 Million Visitors To Sandy Hook Recreation Area
• More Than 3000 Acres Of Enjoyment At Island Beach State Park
• 1870 Year First Boardwalk Was Built
• 199 Steps To The Top Of Cape May Lighthouse
• 172 Miles Of Garden State Parkway
• 131 Years Lucy The Elephant Has Kept Watch Over The Jersey Shore
• 130 Miles Of Beaches
• Over 70 Flavors Of Salt Water Taffy
• 25 Holes At Rooftop Golf In Seaside Heights
• 24 Lighthouses (11 Of Which Are Open To The Public)
• 19 Rides At LBI’s Fantasy Island
• 12 Locations Of Kohr’s Brothers Frozen Custard Stands In New Jersey
• 7 Presidents Who Have Vacationed In Long Branch
• Only 1 Jersey Shore

RELATED STORIES:

Shore Celebrates Unofficial Start to Summer

Memorial Day Weekend Weather

Staycationing at Home This Holiday Weekend

Memorial Day at the Mountains

While many people gather this holiday weekend to spend time with family and friends, there's a sports camp being held outside of Philadelphia for adult men -- claiming to offer help to deal with same-sex attractions.

"Are you or a loved one experiencing homosexual attractions and looking for answers?," Courage asks on their homepage.

The Courage Sports Camp, being held at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa., believes that if men let go of the anxiety and shame they may have felt playing sports as a child, it will help them resist gay urges.

A coach at the camp tells NBC10.com that this type of "sports therapy" can help.

"A lot of these guys that are struggling with same sex attraction have some of this as the root cause of their disorder," said coach Mark Houck.

One participant, who asked not to be identified, explains how the camp has helped him.

"When I play sports, it connects me in a way that's deeper than sex. In that sense, it repairs, you know, what I think was missing," the man said.

Courage has more than 100 chapters worldwide and offers a twelve step plan, similar to what you'd find in an Alcoholics Anonymous program.

"We admitted that we were powerless over homosexuality and our lives had become unmanageable," is step one of the program.

"The purpose of Courage is not to cure or fix or change anybody except from the point of view of helping people to understand what's the moral thing to do, what God would like them to do with their life and to give them the support to do that," said Father Phil Bochanski, one of the camp organizers.

"You can't pray the gay away." That's what one protester stated on a sign as he stood alongside other critics outside the camp Friday.

"This group is based on the Catholic church and it's stuck in its ways, it's not going to change and as far as I'm concerned they are causing some real harm and damage to the gay community," said Ed Coffin of the Peace Advocacy Network.

Organizers say all the camp participants are there of their own free will and can leave anytime they want.

New Jersey is now accepting applications from homeowners seeking grants to rebuild homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

The grants are part of $1.8 billion in the first round of federal aid sent to New Jersey to deal with costs not covered by insurance or other programs.

New Jersey's share of that funding is to total nearly $5.5 billion. While it's only a piece of the $60 billion in disaster aid Congress approved in two bills earlier this year, it's one where the governor has direct say.

Homeowners can get up to $150,000 to cover the costs of elevating or rebuilding primary homes.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said previously homeowners will not get checks but rather the state will pay contractors directly -- so long as the homeowners use approved firms.

They can also get up to $10,000 to stay in communities affected by the storm last year.

The applications are accepted starting Friday. To apply, you can visit www.renewjerseystronger.org or call 1-855-SANDYHM.

The application process began the same day Christie reopened the Jersey Shore from Seaside Heights, N.J.

A federal judge in Delaware has refused to alter the 20-year prison sentence he gave a former pharmacist who illegally distributed 45,000 Oxycodone pain pills.

Attorneys for Bruce Costa Jr. challenged the prison sentence he received in December, saying the four offenses on which he was convicted should have been merged for purposes of sentencing.

Prosecutors argued last year that the offenses could be considered consecutively, thereby increasing the amount of prison time the former Claymont, Del. phamacist faced under federal sentencing guidelines.

Judge Leonard Stark on Friday refused to alter Costa's prison sentence.

Judge Stark said the time to do so under federal court rules had passed, assuming a change was even warranted.

Stark also noted that he longer has jurisdiction over the case because Costa already has appealed his conviction and sentence.

More news from NBC10.com

• Gay Catholic "Sports Camp"
• Educator Gets Job Back After Feces Firing
• Bail Revoked for Faith-Healing Couple
• Princeton Publishes 'Great Gatsby' Manuscript Online

A brand-new, colorful experience is open again for kids of all ages.

The bright revamped Crayola Experience opened its doors this morning at 30 Centre Square in Easton, Pa.

The crayon company’s new museum features four floors of interactive experiences and attractions geared towards kids including creating your own crayon, making a multi-color marker from scratch and a color playground, according to the company.

The crayon-maker’s colorful haven, which replaces the former factory tour, is up and running just in time to celebrate the company’s 110th anniversary of releasing its original 8-color crayon pack.

The attraction is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day. Tickets cost $15.99 for children over 2 and adults. Babies and toddlers are free and seniors get a $2 discount.

While constructing the tourist attraction, crews unearthed artifacts including a 225-year-old copper nickel coin and animal bones.

Men gathering at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary this weekend will be encouraged to practice good sportsmanship and chastity.

The controversial annual event called "Sports Camp" is organized by a Catholic organization called Courage and is designed for men with "same-sex attractions."

Organizers hope playing softball and other sports will help men let go of the anxiety and shame they may still feel from playing sports as children and help them resist attractions to other men.

Father Paul Check said the camp helps men resist those attractions and strive towards chastity, fellowship, and friendship. 

"We're all struggling against different human weaknesses that we have and confusion about who we think we might be and being in good company helps us to clarify some of that and, where necessary, try to make a few adjustments; and we learn some things that help us to go out and perhaps be a little bit more confident that we can do the right thing."

Ed Coffin is with Peace Advocacy Network, a Philadelphia-based social justice group. He is troubled by the camp and its mission, and he plans to protest.

"It's very clear what this organization does is focus on turning people who are homosexual--basically trying to change them into heterosexuals or at least get them to live a completely chaste lifestyle--which requires them to not act on any of their homosexual inclinations," Coffin said. "It falls under the broader realm of conversion therapy. We do feel that this is very detrimental, that's it's psychologically damaging."

Not so, said Father Check. He said men attend Sports Camp voluntarily, to enjoy fellowship and friendship.

"The men who attend Sports Camp have the opportunity to have some fun," Check said, "to be at ease with one another in a peaceful surrounding and to develop, I think, a little bit more a sense of confidence that they can have fun in a way that is very enjoyable: outside, outdoors, running around, working up a little bit of a sweat, I suppose."

Check said he's puzzled by the protesters because the men at Sports Camp show up voluntarily to enjoy sports and have fun. He says participants say they appreciated the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship, but he's not aware of any who have regretted attending.

This story was reported through a news coverage partnership between NBC10.com and NewsWorks.org

Philadelphia Police shoot a man, after investigators say he ran towards officers with a gun pointed at them in North Philadelphia tonight.

The suspect was shot at 24th and Oxford Streets. Police say the 21-year-old man was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Neighbors tell NBC10's Chris Cato that the man did not have a gun. "He had his hands in the air and telling them that 'I don't have a gun, I'm a good guy,' " said Naim Ferguson.

Chief Inspector Scott Small said they've heard no one at the scene say the man was unarmed.

Police say the man had a .45 caliber handgun that they found on the street, which was cocked and loaded, Small says.

This is the third police-involved shooting in the past two days.

Last night, two men were shot and killed by police in separate incidents.

A 35-year-old man, who family members identify as Belton "Amir" Lomax, was killed at Locust Avenue and Devon Street in Germantown last night. Police say he was armed with a semi-automatic weapon and aimed his gun at officers. 

Lomax was a father of 8. Family members and neighbors claim he was unarmed, but police say they received several 911 calls reporting an armed man at that location. Investigators say his weapon was recovered at the scene.

A second man, who hasn't been identified yet, was shot and killed in West Philadelphia last night.

Police responded to the 5600 block of Wyalusing Avenue after getting calls about an armed man.

Officers began to chase the gunman, along with another man. Investigators say the gunman ran into an SUV and then pointed his gun at the officers.

Police shot and killed him. The second man was taken into police custody.

That gun was also recovered at the scene.