PHILADELPHIA, PA – Three police officers in Philadelphia were wounded in a shootout that erupted from a domestic dispute over a video game on Wednesday evening. The suspect, who was the father in the dispute, was killed during the exchange of fire. The officers, who sustained injuries to their legs and hand, are now in stable condition in the hospital.
The police were summoned to the scene by a 12-year-old boy who reported that his father had shot his uncle following an argument about a loud video game. Upon the arrival of the police, the father began shooting at the officers, who retaliated, resulting in his death.
The uncle, also a victim of the shooting, is in critical condition in the hospital. A woman and the child who were at the scene managed to escape without injuries.
John Stanford, the Acting Police Commissioner of Philadelphia, confirmed the incident and revealed that the deceased suspect was known to the police and was believed to be suffering from a mental illness.
Mayor Jim Kenney and Council member Katherine Gilmore Richardson expressed their concern and sadness over the incident. This event adds to the growing crime statistics in Philadelphia, which has seen a significant increase in homicides and overall crime in recent years, including a 30% increase in property crimes in 2022 alone.