A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the neck and is currently in critical condition as reported by officials on Saturday night. The 31-year-old officer is undergoing surgery at Temple University Hospital, according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel during a news conference outside the hospital.
The officer, a veteran with over six years of service, was involved in an incident where he and his partner stopped a car carrying four individuals shortly before 8 p.m. The officers noticed a person with a gun holster, who then fled the scene and fired three shots at the officers, Bethel stated.
The injured officer's partner returned fire, although it remains unclear if the wounded officer discharged his weapon. The shooting suspect, along with all occupants of the car, are now in custody and are being considered as 'persons of interest' at this time, according to Bethel.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has requested residents to keep the officer in their thoughts and prayers. The name of the injured officer has not been disclosed. Mayor Parker expressed that the officer did not anticipate being in a life-threatening situation.
