Off-Duty Security Guard's Bulletproof Vest May Have Saved Life in Shootout

An off-duty security guard who was buying beer from a West Philadelphia store was shot during a shootout. Police said the guard was "fortunate" to be wearing a bulletproof vest that may have saved his life. 

The 55-year-old man had finished a security guard shift at a different location when he entered a store in a shopping center at 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue around 9 p.m. Wednesday. After buying beer and walking out of the store, he spotted three people, possibly robbers, approaching the business. At least one of them was armed, police said. 

The security guard, who has a license to carry, then pulled out his own weapon and a shootout ensued with over 40 shots fired, according to investigators. 

The security guard was shot three times in the abdomen, buttocks and leg. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The guard was wearing a bulletproof vest as part of his uniform during the shootout, which likely saved his life, police said. 

"He suffered, in addition to the three penetrating gunshot wounds, a gunshot to the chest, which was stopped by that vest right around the area of the upper chest, right around where the heart is," Philadelphia Police Inspector D F Pace said. "So, it's very possible that that vest may have saved his life. He's very fortunate."

A 17-year-old later arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm. The teen was listed in stable condition.

Police have not yet confirmed whether the teen was an innocent bystander or one of the shootout suspects. 

Police said the shooting took place during a dispute. It wasn't clear if a robbery was involved.

"We're exploring the possibility that it may have been a robbery, we're not sure at this time, the investigation is still ongoing," Pace said.

No arrests have been made. Police reviewed surveillance video as they continued to investigate overnight.