PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A SEPTA Transit officer and two women were shot by a suspect Wednesday night in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. This happened around 7 p.m. near Leiper and Arrot Streets
The officer is in critical but stable condition at Temple University Hospital, according to Philadelphia Police Sgt. Eric Gripp. The officer was shot in the stomach and is currently undergoing surgery.
Read more: The man who shot and killed the son of a Philadelphia police officer at FDR Park in 2019 acquitted of all charges
Heavy police force was seen outside the hospital.
Police are fleeing a shooting scene where a SEPTA transit officer was shot in the 15th district, SEPTA confirms. Condition unknown but officer is undergoing treatment @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/8p1b1apodr
— Matt Petrillo (@MattPetrillo) 6 April 2022
According to Gripp, the incident began when Philadelphia police officers patrolling the area heard gunshots. They then followed the suspect to an apartment building on the 4700 block of Leiper Street.
Chopper 3 was at the scene as a large police presence surrounded the area.
Police say the suspect opened fire on the officers from the second and third floors of the building. Then SEPTA came under the grip of the officer.
Officials say several Philadelphia police officers retaliated.
According to police, the suspect was found shot and injured on the second floor of the building. A weapon has been recovered.
Read more: Teen slaps Septa bus driver who told passenger masks are essential, say police
Two civilian women were shot in the ordeal – a 57-year-old and a 42-year-old, both in stable condition.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with this brave SEPTA police officer who sustained this injury,” Gripp said, “and here we are again, another night in our town and that’s it, completely and completely. Unacceptable and reckless gun violence killed nearly three innocent lives. We are so grateful it wasn’t worse than this.
As the situation unfolds most of the area around L is closed.
Most of the area around L remains blocked @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/m7GwUdZh4r
— Matt Petrillo (@MattPetrillo) April 7, 2022
The people of the area said that gunshots were heard.
“I was sleeping first and then I heard gunshots. Five here, five there,” said one man.
“It’s a great shame. It’s out of control when we got kids on the block, we have families living here and you run around to shoot people,” said a woman.
Neighbors told the description after hearing a hail of bullets @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/v5rKdbFSyI
— Matt Petrillo (@MattPetrillo) April 7, 2022
More news: Police looking for Saad Najeed Dwight, accused of shooting a woman in Chester
Stay tuned to CBSphilly.com for updates on this developing story.