PHILADELPHIA, PA - A tragic officer-involved shooting erupted outside of a psychiatric facility, Friends Hospital in Philadelphia, Thursday during a routine voluntary commitment for psychiatric care. An officer was struck in his bulletproof vest which protected him, however, the suspect identified by family as 36-year-old Aaron Rainey, did not survive.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel told reporters that the officer, a thirty-year-old man, and his partner were dripping off Rainey at Friends Hospital on a voluntary commitment. Because the commitment was voluntary, he was not handcuffed. Rainey upon arrival at the hospital began to struggle with the officers as he was led out of the vehicle, stripped one of the officers of their sidearm, and fired on them according to CBS News.
The wounded officer was struck approximately an inch from the bottom of his bulletproof vest. His partner, who suffered injury during the melee, returned fire and struck Rainey several times. The suspect was transported to Jefferson Einstein Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Both officers were transported to Temple University Hospital and have been released.
Bethel told reporters, "We are very fortunate, extremely fortunate that the officers were able to survive this encounter,” adding that the officer who was shot is doing “extremely well.”
Bethel described the incident as one that began "innocent" and turned “tragic.” It began when police encountered Rainey at about 12:30 p.m. where officers found him “running through the traffic.” ABC 6 noted that Rainey was reportedly naked at the time and was having a mental health crisis when police approached him. However, he agreed to be voluntarily committed.
The outlet reported that the 30-year-old officer who was shot has been on the Philadelphia PD for six years, and his partner aged 37 has been an officer on the force for ten years.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel told reporters that the officer, a thirty-year-old man, and his partner were dripping off Rainey at Friends Hospital on a voluntary commitment. Because the commitment was voluntary, he was not handcuffed. Rainey upon arrival at the hospital began to struggle with the officers as he was led out of the vehicle, stripped one of the officers of their sidearm, and fired on them according to CBS News.
The wounded officer was struck approximately an inch from the bottom of his bulletproof vest. His partner, who suffered injury during the melee, returned fire and struck Rainey several times. The suspect was transported to Jefferson Einstein Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Both officers were transported to Temple University Hospital and have been released.
Bethel told reporters, "We are very fortunate, extremely fortunate that the officers were able to survive this encounter,” adding that the officer who was shot is doing “extremely well.”
Bethel described the incident as one that began "innocent" and turned “tragic.” It began when police encountered Rainey at about 12:30 p.m. where officers found him “running through the traffic.” ABC 6 noted that Rainey was reportedly naked at the time and was having a mental health crisis when police approached him. However, he agreed to be voluntarily committed.
The outlet reported that the 30-year-old officer who was shot has been on the Philadelphia PD for six years, and his partner aged 37 has been an officer on the force for ten years.
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Comments
2 days ago | Comment by: James
Well t least there was a happy ending! Not handcuffed?!