Cop Hurt in Brazen Assault Rifle Shootout in Kensington

Officer rushed to Temple University Hospital in stable condition, police say

A Philadelphia Police officer was hurt after a shootout on the streets of Kensington.

Officer Kevin Livewell, 30, and his partner had just stopped a white van along the 3000 block of N. Water Street around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night when the shooting occurred, police said.

Two masked men exited the van and immediately fired on police with assault rifles, Dep. Comm. Richard Ross said. The white Econoline van was stopped because it matched the description of a van involved in a shooting earlier in the day.

The officers took cover, but Ofc. Livewell was struck once in the right leg just below his knee, Dep. Comm. Ross said. He was rushed to Temple University Hospital in stable condition. The partner was not injured.

"We're very, very lucky, we're very, very fortunate," Mayor Michael Nutter said standing outside Temple University Hospital.

Both 24th District officers returned fire on the suspects, discharging their weapons at least three times, police said.

"When you take into consideration the type of weapons they were confronted with, it's just absolutely remarkable that they're still here with us," Dep. Comm. Ross said.

One of the suspects was apprehended, but another man is still on the loose. He is described as a dark-complected Hispanic male in a dark blue shirt and dark shorts. The suspect may have also been injured in the shootout, police say.

A third suspect described as a heavyset Hispanic man with a thick beard may also be involved, police say. That suspect would be wearing a white shirt and black shorts with a yellow emblem. He may also have a tattoo that says "Latin Kings."

"These individuals were obviously out to do harm to someone, two officers came across them and they weren't afraid to fire upon [the officers]," Police Comm. Charles Ramsey said.

Police say several weapons were recovered from the scene -- including two assault rifles and several handguns.

Ofc. Livewell is a 9-year veteran of the police force. He is married with two children. They could be seen arriving at the hospital shortly after the officer's arrival.


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