A Philadelphia police officer was reportedly shot in the stomach Wednesday afternoon near Overbrook High School.
The 19th District officer was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and was listed in critical but stable condition Wednesday evening, according to authorities.
Multiple media reports indicated that the shooting happened just before 3 p.m. on the 1900 block of N. 59th Street, and at least one person was taken into custody.
Video shared on social media showed several officers seemingly trying to intervene in a brawl before a shot is heard. In the clip, a crowd that appeared to be surrounding the brawl dispersed in response to the gunfire.
The altercation occurred shortly after dismissal and “included students and members of the community,” Overbrook High School Principal Julian Graham wrote in a letter to families. He added that the shooting happened “off school property” and indicated that the gunfire came from a non-student.
Graham said additional school safety and city police officers will be patrolling the area.
“I am deeply saddened and angered to learn that a Philadelphia police officer was shot near Overbrook High School – a community close to my heart, where I once taught,” Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We must come together to end the senseless violence threatening our neighborhoods.”
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 said it was “extending its heartfelt wishes for a swift and full recovery” and asked residents to keep the officer and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
This is a developing story. Check MetroPhiladelphia.com for updates.
