By Walt Hunter and Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A Philadelphia police officer was rushed to the hospital after he was shot in the stomach following a traffic stop shortly before noon Tuesday.
The shooting happened at about 11:55 a.m. near 4th and Annsbury Streets in the city’s Hunting Park section.
According to Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross (at right in photo below), the incident began near 5th Street and Allegheny Avenue, when an officer pulled over a car for a broken tail light.
Investigators say the driver was initially evasive as the officer tried to obtain his license and registration, then suddenly drove off at a high rate of speed.
The officer pursued the suspect but lost him. Then, calls to 911 revealed that a suspect had run into the Almonte Mini Market, a convenience store at 4th and Annsbury Streets.
Ross said a number of officers responded, and a “violent struggle” with the suspect ensued inside the store.
The male 25th District officer, whose identity was not immediately announced, was shot in the stomach, below his bulletproof vest.
The wounded officer, a 41-year-old, married, six-year veteran of the force, was rushed to Temple University Hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition.
Police confirm that a 31-year-old male suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident. He was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center with unknown injuries.
Investigators say a weapon was found at the scene.
(Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter speaks with reporters outside Temple Hospital. Behind him are police commissioner Charles Ramsey and deputy commissioner Richard Ross. Credit: John Ostapkovich)
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Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and Mayor Michael Nutter rushed to Temple Hospital along with the officer’s family. The mayor made a short statement outside the hospital alluding to the dangers that all officers on street patrol face on a daily basis.
Stay with CBSPhilly.com for more information on this breaking story as it becomes available.
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Filed under: CBS, Heard On, Local, News, Philadelphia, Seen on, Syndicated Local, Watch + Listen Tagged: Almonte Mini Market, KYW Newsradio 1060, Mark Abrams, Michael Nutter, Philadelphia Officer Shot, Philadelphia Police Department, Richard Ross, Temple University Hospital, Violent Crime, walt hunter 
