PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia School District public safety officer was shot during a road rage incident near Penn’s Landing early Sunday morning, police said.
The incident began around 1:45 a.m. when the drivers of a white Hyundai SUV and a black Dodge pickup truck got into an altercation on I-95, according to police. Authorities said the man in the Hyundai pointed a gun at the other driver, prompting a chase that continued off the highway and onto Columbus Boulevard.
They flagged down the school resource officer who was inside a vehicle along the 300 block of Columbus Boulevard, near Dave & Busters. Authorities said the drivers likely thought the officer was part of the Philadelphia Police Department.
The school officer, who is a retired Philadelphia police officer, was finishing a shift at a nearby school, according to Inspector D.F. Pace.
“And at that point, the officer either attempted to investigate or intervene in some way, when the occupant of the Hyundai opened fire on that officer,” he said.
The officer was shot multiple times and was taken to the hospital in very critical condition, but he was stabilized.
The man in the white car drove off.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact authorities by calling or texting their tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
