A police officer shot a man who was allegedly holding a knife early Wednesday morning inside a North Philadelphia house, law enforcement officials said.
In a preliminary report on the incident Wednesday afternoon, the PPD said a pair of officers responded just before 3 a.m. to the 1800 block of N. Bailey Street after a 911 caller reported hearing a person screaming.
The officers heard arguing and yelling inside the property and knocked, according to authorities. No one initially answered; after they tried a door handle, a child opened the door, investigators said.
Police said they encountered a 31-year-old knife-wielding man standing over a 30-year-old woman. Officers told him to drop the weapon, and he responded by moving in their direction and jumping over a sofa.
The PPD said he was still gripping the knife when one of the officers fired a single shot, hitting the man in the chest. He was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition later Wednesday, authorities said. Investigators have not released his name.
Law enforcement representatives said the responding officers and the woman inside the house did not report any injuries.
Officials indicated that both officers at the scene activated their body-worn cameras before the incident, which is being investigated by the PPD and District Attorney’s Office.
In alignment with the department’s policies, the officer who fired the shot – a 26-year-old man assigned to the 22nd Police District – has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the probes. He has not been publicly identified.
