Police say 75-year-old fired first shot before officer returned fire during early morning response.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — A Philadelphia police officer fatally shot a 75-year-old man during a response to a reported hostage situation Tuesday morning in West Philadelphia, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 7:14 a.m. on the 5400 block of Webster Street, where two officers from the Philadelphia Police Department’s 18th District responded to a 911 call reporting a person with a weapon and a family being held hostage. Police said the call originated from a phone registered to the man who was later killed.
Officer Laura Pelczar, 26, and a second officer arrived at the scene and encountered the man, identified as Anthony McKinley, standing on the front porch of a residence.
Police say suspect fired first
According to preliminary findings, McKinley brandished a firearm and raised it toward the officers. Police said both officers took cover and issued multiple commands for him to drop the weapon.
Authorities said McKinley then fired one round. Officer Pelczar discharged her service weapon once, striking him.
Officers secured the weapon—a Taurus revolver—and transported McKinley to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:33 a.m.
Multiple investigations underway
No officers or additional civilians were injured during the incident, police said. Body-worn cameras were activated and captured portions of the encounter.
The shooting is under active investigation by multiple entities, including the Philadelphia Police Department’s Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation Unit, the department’s Internal Affairs Division, and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
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Key Points
• Officer shot and killed armed man during hostage call response
• Police say suspect fired first before officer returned fire
• Multiple agencies investigating officer-involved shooting
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Officer placed on administrative duty
Per department policy, Officer Pelczar has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigations. The second officer on scene did not discharge their weapon.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials noted that details are preliminary and subject to change.