A robbery attempt in Kensington, Philadelphia, late Sunday night ended with a teenage suspect shot in the leg by his intended victim, who was lawfully carrying a firearm. Police say the shooting occurred around 11 p.m. on the 2200 block of Emerald Street.
The 21-year-old man was walking to his car when he was approached by two suspects, including a 16-year-old boy who pressed a fake gun into his back, demanding keys, a wallet, and other valuables. Unbeknownst to the teen, the man was carrying a legal 9mm handgun. As the man began complying with the demands, he drew his weapon and fired, hitting the 16-year-old in the leg.
Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace explained that the victim acted in self-defense, with no way of knowing the weapon was a toy. “Having been pressed into the victim’s back, there would have been no way for him to know that it wasn’t real,” said Pace.
The injured teen was transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, where he is in stable condition and remains in police custody. The second suspect fled the scene and is still being sought by police.
The incident adds to Philadelphia’s record of self-defense shootings, though these numbers have been decreasing over the past few years. According to local data, 27 such shootings have occurred in the city in the past year, a drop from 37 the year before.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the second suspect to contact the Philadelphia Police Department’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS.
This case is being treated as a justified self-defense, with no charges announced against the shooter at this time.
play stoopid games, win stoopid prizes. If the victim aimed better, the other guy wouldn’t have had a chance to reflect on the prize he just won.
Should have put him out of our misery.
Too bad it was just a survivable wound and not a well-deserved ‘Taxpayer Relief Shot’.
By “recovered”, they mean STOLE a real gun and a fake gun!!
Too bad the scumbag isn’t drt………citizen needs to work on his marksmanship……….no tax free status and keys to the city.
POS left alive to victimize your family
Do better
FAFO , Nothing like a bullet to the leg to deter a crime in progress .
next time this trash will have a real gun piety not drt saving people money
Well, everyone lived! One bad guy shot the other bad guy is still loose, the hero is without his defensive firearms. Catch and lock up the two robbers and give the hero a medal.
Arm up[ and carry on
16 with a fake handgun, when will they ever learn.
MORE RANGE TIME!