Philadelphia

Undercover Sergeant Shoots Man Who Attacked Her in Car, Police Say

A veteran undercover Philadelphia police sergeant shot a man after he attacked her as she sat in a car, investigators say

An undercover Philadelphia police sergeant shot a man after he smashed the window of her car and attacked her, investigators said.

The 57-year-old sergeant was in plainclothes in an unmarked car while conducting an undercover investigation on North Park and West Hunting Park avenues in Philadelphia at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday.

She was then approached by a man who took a large rock or brick and threw it at the window of the driver's side of the car, police said.

The man then allegedly attacked the sergeant and dragged her out of the vehicle. As the man continued to attack her, the 23-year veteran of the force pulled out her weapon and opened fire, police said.

The man appeared to be shot at least once and fled on foot northbound on Park Avenue.

The attack left the officer shaken with cuts and glass in her hair, police sources said. She was treated for contusions and abrasions.

Investigators originally believed that a man who had been shot in the chest and later captured at 13th Street and Lehigh Avenue was the attacker. But, on Wednesday afternoon police confirmed that man, who is alleged to have earlier broken into a home, isn't believed to be the one who attacked the sergeant.

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Authorities said a motive for the attack on the officer remains under investigation. They didn't reveal a description of the officer's attacker.

The man caught after the home invasion remained in custody Wednesday afternoon. Police said they are still figuring out charges related to the home invasion and who may have shot him.

Editor's Note: Police initially said the sergeant was off-duty during the attack. They later said the sergeant was on-duty but working undercover and dressed in plainclothes.

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