Gunman wounds at least 6 police officers in Philadelphia

All of the injuries are considered non-life threatening. The suspect is still firing and police have warned people to stay out of the Nicetown neighbourhood

August 15, 2019 04:59 am | Updated 06:26 am IST - Philadelphia

A police officer patrols the block near a house as they investigate an active shooting situation, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, in the Nicetown neighborhood of Philadelphia.

A police officer patrols the block near a house as they investigate an active shooting situation, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, in the Nicetown neighborhood of Philadelphia.

At least one gunman opened fire on police August 14 as they were serving a warrant in a Philadelphia neighbourhood, wounding six officers and triggering a standoff that extended into the evening, authorities said.

None of the officers’ injuries were considered life-threatening, Philadelphia police Sgt. Eric Gripp said. They were being treated at hospitals.

The shooting began around 4-30 p.m. as officers went to a home in Nicetown, a north Philadelphia neighbourhood of brick and stone rowhomes. Shots were still being fired three hours later, police said.

Officers were negotiating with the gunman and imploring him to surrender, while urging people to stay away from the area, Gripp tweeted.

Two officers became trapped inside the house amid the gunfire, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Live video from news stations showed a massive police presence, with dozens of squad cars and officers, many of them with guns drawn. Temple University locked down part of its campus, and several children and staff were trapped in a nearby daycare.

Police tried to push crowds of onlookers and residents back from the scene. In police radio broadcasts, officers could be heard calling for backup as reports of officers getting shot poured in.

Dozens of officers on foot lined the streets. Others were in cars and some on horses. One officer appeared injured and was taken away in a police car. Video also showed two other officers carrying a man and putting him in the back of a police car. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said its agents responded to the scene to assist Philadelphia police.

President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr were briefed on the shooting, officials said.

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