Holly MatkinPhiladelphia, PA – A FedEx driver suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach before he pulled out his own gun and killed the armed robber who attacked him, police said.
The incident occurred in the 600-block of Unruh Avenue at approximately 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday night, WPVI reported.
The 32-year-old FedEx driver had just finished making a delivery at a home when he was confronted by the 27-year-old armed suspect, according to WCAU.
The robber stole multiple packages from the FedEx truck before he shot the driver in the abdomen, police said.
That’s when the driver pulled out his own gun and retired fire, hitting his attacker multiple times.
The suspect made off with several packages as he fled the scene, while the wounded FedEx driver jumped back into the delivery truck and drove to a nearby ACME store to get help, WPVI reported.
“He pulled up real fast and got out and said something to the cop,” witness Claudia Griggs told the news outlet. “He said he was shot.”
Police rushed the wounded victim to Einstein Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, WCAU reported.
“We’re hopeful that he will be OK,” Philadelphia Acting Police Commissioner Christine Coulter said.
Meanwhile, officers located an unconscious man in an alley in the 1400-block of Creston Street suffering from gunshot wounds to his back and chest, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
He was carrying packages that had been stolen from the FedEx driver, according to WCAU.
The suspect was transported to Einstein Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators took one man into custody after he was spotted standing near a vehicle that police said may have been used to drive the suspect away from the scene, WCAU reported.
He has been labeled as a person of interest.
The inside of the getaway vehicle was smeared with blood. The car was hauled to a secure facility until a search warrant can be obtained.
Police said that the robber’s gun may also be inside the vehicle.
The FedEx driver’s gun was recovered by police.
“It appears that this FedEx driver was just doing his job, making a delivery to a private residence, when he was robbed and he was shot,” Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told WCAU. “The FedEx driver was armed, returned fire, and at this time we believe the suspect was shot and killed by the FedEx driver.”
“I don’t know if the FedEx driver has a valid permit to carry, but that’s definitely going to be part of the investigation,” Inspector Small said.
He also noted that the driver “is completely cooperating with police,” WPVI reported.
FedEx declined to answer questions about whether or not employees are permitted to carry firearms on the job, WCAU reported.
“We are not at liberty to disclose details of our internal policies,” a company spokesperson told the news outlet. “All further questions should be directed to law enforcement.”
“The safety of our team members and service providers is a top priority and we are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities at this time,” the spokesperson added.