Philadelphia officer 'on life support' after traffic stop shooting, suspect in custody: officials

KENSINGTON - A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the line of duty as city officials ask for prayers for the husband and father they say is currently on life support.

The gunfire broke out on the 3500 block of F Street Saturday night, a little before 8 p.m., Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said.

Two officers conducted a traffic stop on a car with four occupants. They then moved to a live stop of the vehicle. During an inspection of the car, Bethel noted the officers saw a holster and a man begin to run from the scene.

The suspect then turned and opened fire, shooting three times and striking the officer in the neck.

The officer’s partner returned fire. There were no details if the suspect was hit by gunfire.

Sources tell FOX 29's Steve Keeley the officer’s partner drove him to Temple University Hospital.

The officer was hit behind the ear and is in critical condition, fighting for his life, Commissioner Bethel said.

Mayor Parker said the officer was put "on life support; on a breathing machine."

Sources say the suspected gunman was briefly holed up in a barricade situation on East Wishart, but SWAT was able to clear that barricade without finding the gunman. He was taken into custody after another barricade in the 800 block of Schiller Street.

All four individuals in the vehicle are in police custody, Bethel stated.

Mayor Parker and Commissioner Bethel asked for prayers for the officer and his partner. The officer is 31-years-old husband and father with six and a half years on the job.