PHILADELPHIA — Police are in a standoff with a suspect who shot six officers on Wednesday in a North Philadelphia neighborhood.
Two officers are trapped inside the row house, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross told the Inquirer newspaper.
More than two hours after the standoff began, officers who swarmed to the scene were attempting to communicate with the shooter, “imploring him to surrender and avoid further injuries,” Sgt. Eric Gripp, a spokesman for the department’s public affairs office, said on Twitter.
The officers’ injuries were non-life threatening, Gripp said. He said other officers were being treated for non-gunshot injuries.
Police were first called to the Nicetown-Tiago neighborhood for drug activity, Capt. Sekou Kinebrew told CNN affiliate KYW. Video from a news helicopter showed more than 50 police vehicles at the scene.
The video also showed police officers kneeling and crouching behind various cars with guns drawn.
Just around 6:30 p.m. ET more gunfire could be heard at the scene.
“Suspect is still firing. … Continue to avoid area,” Gripp said in a Tweet.
Four women were escorted out of the building by Philadelphia police SWAT members, said Greg Argos, a reporter for CNN affiliate KYW.
The KYW reporter described the women as “visibly upset, crying, as they were escorted down the street.”
One woman said of the officers: “They kept us safe the whole time, the whole time, they kept us safe.”
President Donald Trump was briefed on the shooting, deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
