Philadelphia police officer in critical condition after gunshot wound in Kensington; suspect in custody

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A suspected gunman is in custody after a Philadelphia police officer was shot and seriously injured in the Kensington neighborhood on Saturday evening.

According to police, two officers conducted a traffic stop in the 3500 block of F Street shortly before 8 p.m. involving four people.

During this check, the officers saw a holster.

According to police, a man then fled the scene and shot the officers three times.

One of the officers was shot in the neck. His partner returned fire and then took the injured officer to Temple University Hospital.

The shot police officer is in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel spoke outside Temple University Hospital late Saturday night.

“I often come here with a lot of anger about what my men and women have to endure. Today I come with a different request: Today I was sitting in an auditorium with about 75 to 100 men from the East Division and we held hands when Commissioner Stanford brought us together and we prayed for our officer,” Bethel said.

“So today I ask people across the city of Philadelphia to pray for our officer,” Bethel continued.

The name of the police officer who was shot has not been released. Officials say he is 31 years old and has been with the police for six years.

In addition to the suspected shooter, the other people in the car are also in police custody.

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