A Philadelphia police officer was injured after being shot in the hand during an incident in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, officials said.
Police officials said the 38-year-old officer was shot by a man who fled a car stop that happened near 23rd Street and Indiana Avenue.
The incident, officials said, happened Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at approximately 8:56 pm, after 39th District and Highway Patrol officers responded to an "Assist Officer" call at 23rd Street and Indiana Avenue.
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According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, the shooting happened as police were trying to make a car stop.
Officials said that, at that time, 29-year-old Brandon Williams, of Philadelphia, fled from the stop.
While fleeing, officials said, Williams' vehicle struck a parked vehicle at the intersection of 23rd and Clearfield streets, before Williams jumped out of the vehicle.
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According to police, after that crash, Williams was confronted by police officers along the 2300 block of Indiana Avenue and he produced a handgun and fired multiple times at officers exiting their vehicle.
Bethel said that, at that time, the officer suffered a gunshot wound to his right hand and he was hit through the jacket, but that bullet did not penetrate.
Williams, police said, then fled to the area of 23rd and Cambria streets where he again fired at officers.
Finally, police said, after a pursuit officers found Williams body along the 2900 block of N. 23rd Street after he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The incident was captured on both body and vehicle cameras, officials said.
However, police officials said, the officers did not discharge their firearms during the incident.
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NBC10 crews were outside of the hospital where a large police presence was visible Tuesday night.
In talking to members of the press, Bethel noted the danger officers face each day.
"This is the work," Bethel said. "I constantly say this work matters. This is what we signed up for, this is how we go to work everyday, understanding that we may not go home."
The police commissioner also noted how lucky this officer was considering the circumstances.
"It's a blessing when we have our officers come under fire and we do not lose a life," said Bethel.
In a statement, Roosevelt Poplar, the president of the police union, FOP Lodge 5, said that the officer was released from the hospital late Wednesday morning.
"We’re thankful that our officer has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home surrounded by his family," said Poplar. "FOP Lodge 5 leadership and officers across our great city salute this officer’s courage and bravery. Please continue to keep this officer and the entire police department in your thoughts and prayers as they work tirelessly to keep us safe."
An investigation into this incident, police said, is ongoing.
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