A suspect who allegedly fired a gun at police during a foot chase along several blocks in Kensington was shot by as many as five officers, and a woman bystander was also struck in the gun fire as she stood a block away, police said.
The ordeal began Friday around 10:30 p.m. when two 24th district officers spotted a 33-year-old man on the 1800 block of E. Clementine Street. After the officers asked the man to stop, he reached toward his waistband area, police said. The officers say they then saw a bulge under his sweatshirt.
The officers contacted police radio and then chased after the man who ran to the 3000 block of Helen Street, according to investigators. As the man reached a dead-end, the officers noticed he was holding a gun in his hands, police said.
The man allegedly fired his gun at the officers who returned fire. The man then continued on Helen Street and ran several blocks to 2800 Amber Street where he was met by other responding officers, investigators said.
The man then allegedly turned with his gun raised toward the officers. The officers then opened fire, striking the man several times. He fell to the ground and was taken to Temple University Hospital where he is currently in critical condition.
A 36-year-old woman who was walking on the 2900 block of Amber Street during the shootout was also shot in the left calf.
"Unfortunately, she's hit by gunfire," police spokesman Lt. John Stanford said. "Just unfortunate that she was hit by gunfire because of this incident."
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The woman was taken to Hahnemann Hospital where she was treated and released.
No officers were injured during the incident.
