PHILADELPHIA — A man was hospitalized after being shot late Tuesday night in West Philadelphia, following an earlier confrontation at a nearby store, police said.
Officers from the 18th District responded to a call for a “person with a gun, male shot, hiding in the bushes,” at approximately 11:54 p.m. in the area of Sansom and 63rd Streets. When they arrived, officers found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the back.
The victim was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and listed in serious but stable condition, according to police.
Shortly after the shooting, additional officers observed a male dressed in all black sitting on a nearby step. Police said the male stood up, dropped what appeared to be a firearm, picked it up, and walked away. After ignoring officers’ commands to stop and discarding an object into nearby bushes, the male was subdued with a Taser and taken into custody.
He was transported to Presbyterian Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Shooting follows earlier dispute at corner store
Investigators said the victim and the suspect had an earlier encounter at a nearby corner store, during which the victim disarmed the suspect and gave the weapon to a third person. After the incident, the victim returned to his nearby apartment complex to complete a work shift.
Police said that when the victim exited the building at the end of his shift, the suspect approached and allegedly shot him in the back.
Charges against the suspect are pending as the investigation continues.