Philadelphia police officer shot inside corner store on Mascher Street; suspect dead

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A Philadelphia police officer was hospitalized after being shot during a scuffle with an armed man inside a business.

It happened around 8:45 p.m. Friday near the 2800 block of North Mascher Street.

According to police, two officers confronted an armed man inside the store. A scuffle ensued and that’s when the male suspect shot the officer twice in the leg.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel says the officer’s partner returned fire, striking the suspect who was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The injured officer was rushed to Temple University Hospital and listed in stable condition.

“I’ve been here too many times. It is unacceptable that my officers, my men and women, are shot on these streets in the City of Philadelphia,” said Bethel.

“I want to state for the record something that you’ve heard us say quite often, and that is that the violence in our city must not and cannot be permitted to stand, and I’ve said it over and over again that this sense of lawlessness must stop in the City of Philadelphia,” added Mayor Cherelle Parker.

Both officers involved are assigned to the 24th District and have been on the force for six years.

Further information on the shooting, including the suspect’s identity, has not been released.

Police say someone inside of the store stole the suspect’s gun after the shooting. That person is still being sought.

Images released by police show a person of interest wanted for questioning. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 215-686-TIPS.