Suspect killed following struggle with cops

NORTH PHILADELPHIA – A three-year veteran of the city police department was shot once in his protective body vest with his own handgun during a struggle with a suspect, who was then shot dead by another officer.

The bullet did not penetrate the vest to the body of Officer Richard Nicoletti, 25, during the struggle in the 1700 block of North Third Street at about 3:15 p.m., according to a police press release.

A spokesman did not return an e-mail request for comment. Nicoletti was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he remained last night. The unidentified suspect, who was initially reported as “a man with a knife,” was killed by Nicoletti’s partner, Officer Matthew McCarthy. The suspect reportedly was threatening to killing himself.