Penn police kill suspect near library

An armed West Philadelphia carjacking ended early yesterday when University of Pennsylvania police killed a fleeing suspect during a gunfight behind a library on the Ivy League campus.

Philadelphia police responded to reports that a gold Cadillac was carjacked near 50th and Arch streets just before 3 a.m. Officers saw the car near 42nd and Locust minutes later, and chased it until the stolen vehicle crashed at 40th and Locust. There, according to police reports, two men jumped out firing shots at both city and Penn police.

Four university officers returned fire, hitting one of the carjackers “multiple times” behind the library. The suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, was pronounced dead at HUP at 3:09 a.m. No police or bystanders were injured. The other man was quickly arrested; he was uninjured.

Philadelphia police referred questions to Penn, which posted details of the incident on its website and via e-mail alert.

“We understand that students, faculty and staff may feel frightened by this event,” Vice President Maureen S. Rush wrote in a statement. “Although we never want to experience this type of violence near our campus … working together, the Penn and Philadelphia Police officers immediately apprehended both armed suspects, ensuring that there was no longer a threat to the Penn Community.”