Man shot by police following foot chase is in critical condition

A man who was shot several times by police following a foot chase early this morning is in critical condition.

Lt. Ray Evers said the pursuit touched off when Temple University plainclothes officers saw a man armed with a gun in the area of 8th and West Thompson streets around 1:40 a.m. and gave chase.

Nearby uniformed officers from the 26th District then responded in marked patrol cars and continued the foot pursuit. Evers said they chased the man onto the 1200 block of North Franklin Street, where he allegedly pointed his weapon at one of the officers. The officer fired once, missing the man, and the chase resumed.

When the man allegedly raised his gun to police a second time, an officer opened fire, hitting the suspect in the shoulder and neck. The 24-year-old man was rushed to Hahnemann Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

Evers said a .45 semiautomatic handgun with the serial number filed off was found next to the man’s body and that charges are pending until he recovers from his injuries.