At least six police officers have been shot down after a gunman opened fire at law enforcement in Philadelphia. One suspect is barricaded in one of the houses and continues shooting, but another assailant has reportedly been taken into custody.
According to Philadelphia Police Captain Sekou Kinebrew, the incident began unfolding at 16.30 pm local time in Nicetown-Tioga section of the city, when police responded to a call related to “narcotics activity”.
One of the officers suffered a gunshot wound to his head, but remains conscious. Two other officers suffered arm injuries. All of the them were released from hospitals later that evening.
One suspect has been taken into custody, while another suspect fled the scene, barricaded in a nearby property and continued shooting.
The shooter was apparently live-streaming the showdown on Facebook, police officers were heard saying on the scanner.
The shooter has been tentatively identified as Maurice Hill, 36, a local man with a vast criminal record that includes illegal possession of firearms and drug offenses.
Hill is well-known to law enforcement, having been nabbed about a dozen times since coming of age in 2001.
Police are trying to reach out to the attacker, but all attempts so far have been unsuccessful, with the shooter continuing to fire through the windows, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross told the media @ a press conference.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point News 2019.
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