Philly police ID officer shot in arrest raid

Philadelphia police have identified Francis Whalen, a 17-year veteran of the department, asthe SWAT office shot in the abdomen while servinga search warrant Wednesdaymorning.

Police say Whelan was part of a team assigned to arrest Devon Guisherd at an apartment complex in the 800 block of Riverside Drive. Guisherdwas wanted in the 2014 for murdering a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

Guisherdfled into a bedroom and fired at police, hitting Whelan, who returned fire. Guisherd suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The slug Guisherdfired was stopped by Whelan’sbullet-proof vest. He was treated and released from the hospital.

For Whelan, it was the second time he was shot while serving as a SWAT officer.

In December2010, Whelan and Sgt. Christopher Binns were shot during a SWAT raid whiletrying to arrestNasuil Martinez, who was wanted for shooting for another police officer. In that case, Kevlar body armor prevented the bullet from piercing the body.

Martinez later shot himself accidentally during a standoff with police.

Whalen is a father of two.

Guisherd was wanted for the murder of Megan Doto, who was full-term pregnant when she was killed by a stray bullet while sitting on her porch.

Doto’s baby was delivered by Caesarian section. The baby later died.

Doto left behind two other children.