PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) confirmed that one of their officers shot a man after investigators said he stabbed three people, including a security guard.
The incident happened on Monday, November 27th, in Center City Philadelphia. Authorities said that around 8:00 p.m., SEPTA police received a call for an individual who was allegedly trying to stab people on the subway platform at the Walnut-Locust Station.
SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles "Chuck" Lawson said that there were up to three victims, two of which reported minor injuries. A woman had a wound to the neck, but she was stitched up and all of the victims, according to Lawson, are doing OK.
Police engaged with the suspect at City Hall and chased him on foot a short distance. They used a Taser on the suspect, which police reported was ineffective. A witness to the incident, Lamar Hargrove, said, "They told him to stop and freeze, but he kept on going. He kept on going and he just tried to run."
He added, "I see the transit cops. They were coming from the south side of Broad Street and when they came this way, they shot the guy with the Taser. When they shot the guy with the Taser, he ran in that direction. When he ran in that direction over there, they ended up shooting him three times and he went down."
Throughout the entire time, the suspect was still armed with the knife, running from the police. A SEPTA officer fired his duty weapon three times, striking the suspect with all three bullets.
The suspect was treated at a nearby hospital. Lawson said that the attack appears to be unprovoked, adding, "The individual came into the station and started making slashing motions just at people walking by." Police said that the suspect is in his 40s and appears to be homeless. As of this writing, there have been no updates on the suspect's condition.
Karl Bratty, who also witnessed the incident, said, "We were hanging Christmas lights in our window right here and all of a sudden we just heard four loud gunshots. We looked out there and there was a man on the ground, and like nine or 10 police officers around him."
According to a SEPTA spokesperson, the woman who suffered a stabbing to the neck is a security worker for Extrity, which is an entity contracted through SETPA. She was unarmed at the time of the incident. The two other victims were passengers.
Police said that two knives were recovered from the scene. Lawson said, "The city has become violent. We've seen this. Dealing with a lot more angry population who are arming themselves with weapons and using them over senseless arguments."
A leader of the union representing SEPTA Transit Police said that the stabbing comes as the union and SEPTA return to contract talks. Vice President Troy Parham told CBS News, "I will say that violence is plaguing the entire city, including our system. It's becoming inherently more dangerous and SEPTA police officers want to be out there to protect and serve the public. I'm confident that we will reach an agreement soon and officers can continue to do what they do well."
Some riders are questioning their safety and SEPTA security. Lyle Boyd of South Philadelphia, said, "It definitely makes me want to me more aware of my surroundings and what's giong on, and it does make me a little nervous."
The incident happened on Monday, November 27th, in Center City Philadelphia. Authorities said that around 8:00 p.m., SEPTA police received a call for an individual who was allegedly trying to stab people on the subway platform at the Walnut-Locust Station.
SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles "Chuck" Lawson said that there were up to three victims, two of which reported minor injuries. A woman had a wound to the neck, but she was stitched up and all of the victims, according to Lawson, are doing OK.
Police engaged with the suspect at City Hall and chased him on foot a short distance. They used a Taser on the suspect, which police reported was ineffective. A witness to the incident, Lamar Hargrove, said, "They told him to stop and freeze, but he kept on going. He kept on going and he just tried to run."
He added, "I see the transit cops. They were coming from the south side of Broad Street and when they came this way, they shot the guy with the Taser. When they shot the guy with the Taser, he ran in that direction. When he ran in that direction over there, they ended up shooting him three times and he went down."
Throughout the entire time, the suspect was still armed with the knife, running from the police. A SEPTA officer fired his duty weapon three times, striking the suspect with all three bullets.
The suspect was treated at a nearby hospital. Lawson said that the attack appears to be unprovoked, adding, "The individual came into the station and started making slashing motions just at people walking by." Police said that the suspect is in his 40s and appears to be homeless. As of this writing, there have been no updates on the suspect's condition.
Karl Bratty, who also witnessed the incident, said, "We were hanging Christmas lights in our window right here and all of a sudden we just heard four loud gunshots. We looked out there and there was a man on the ground, and like nine or 10 police officers around him."
According to a SEPTA spokesperson, the woman who suffered a stabbing to the neck is a security worker for Extrity, which is an entity contracted through SETPA. She was unarmed at the time of the incident. The two other victims were passengers.
Police said that two knives were recovered from the scene. Lawson said, "The city has become violent. We've seen this. Dealing with a lot more angry population who are arming themselves with weapons and using them over senseless arguments."
A leader of the union representing SEPTA Transit Police said that the stabbing comes as the union and SEPTA return to contract talks. Vice President Troy Parham told CBS News, "I will say that violence is plaguing the entire city, including our system. It's becoming inherently more dangerous and SEPTA police officers want to be out there to protect and serve the public. I'm confident that we will reach an agreement soon and officers can continue to do what they do well."
Some riders are questioning their safety and SEPTA security. Lyle Boyd of South Philadelphia, said, "It definitely makes me want to me more aware of my surroundings and what's giong on, and it does make me a little nervous."
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2023-12-11T21:05-0500 | Comment by: Harry
Let me guess ! People aren't permitted to carry concealed firearms for protection, so they are at the mercy of the nut cases that a roaming around and looking for victims !