Philadelphia police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed that one officer was killed and another left in critical condition after they were shot early Saturday while responding to a report of an armed man in the city's western section. Bethel stated during a news conference that the surviving officer remains hospitalized in critical condition, a detail also reported by affiliate FOX 29 Philadelphia.
The incident began just after 12:20 a.m. when officers were dispatched to 140 North 52nd Street following a call about a man with a gun on a porch. Approximately 30 minutes later, the two officers arrived at the address and came under significant gunfire once they reached the porch. Bethel explained that additional officers and a SWAT team subsequently found the original responding officers on the porch with gunshot wounds.
Bethel provided specific details regarding the victims, noting that one officer, a 40-year-old with two children, was shot three times. The other officer, a 33-year-old with five children, was shot 12 times. It remains unclear which of the two officers died. Both officers were transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for surgery, and one was later pronounced dead.
Local outlet WPVI reported that the suspect ambushed the officers by running down an alley and shooting at them. Bethel said the suspect also fired at two additional officers before being located by the SWAT team. The man was found hiding in a tree and taken into custody. His name has not yet been released.
Bethel stated that the suspect was found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun. He noted that one of these pistols had been taken from one of the wounded officers. The Philadelphia Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
During the news conference, Bethel addressed the emotional weight of the event, telling reporters that he is proud of the men and women who serve in the department. He emphasized that they consistently go into danger and give their lives for their profession, asking for prayers and public support for those who serve.