Philadelphia police officer shot by fleeing suspect remains in critical condition

A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the neck and remained in critical condition Saturday evening, officials said.

The 31-year-old officer is in critical condition and will undergo surgery at Temple University Hospital, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said during a press conference outside the hospital.

The officer, who has been on the force for more than six years, and his partner stopped a car with four occupants just before 8 p.m. Officers saw a person with a gun holster, at which point the suspect fled and shot officers three times, Bethel said.

The wounded officer’s partner returned fire, but it was not immediately clear whether the shot officer had fired his weapon.

The suspect and all persons who were in the car are in custody and are considered “persons of interest” at this time, Bethel said.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker asked residents to pray for the officer, whose name was not released.

“He didn’t expect to have to fight for his life,” Parker said.