Holly MatkinPhiladelphia, PA – A gunman hiding on top of a building ambushed Philadelphia police after they responded to the area for a report of a man with a gun on Tuesday night.
The incident occurred in the 4400-block of Holden Avenue shortly before 8 p.m., WTXF reported.
Officers searched the area and were unable to locate the suspect or anything suspicious, according to police.
But as one of the officers was heading back to his patrol vehicle to leave, gunfire erupted, shattering the rear window of the officer’s car, WTXF reported.
The officer was able to take cover behind the patrol unit.
No officers were hit by gunfire during the ambush attack.
Investigators determined the shooter opened fire from the top of a building located on North Busti Street, WTXF reported.
A SWAT team responded to the area and searched the building, but the suspect was not located.
Investigators said they did find nearly 30 spent shell casings on the stop of scaffolding located on the south side of the building, WTXF reported.
A witness also reported having seen a muzzle flash from the upper level of the building when the shooting was taking place, according to police.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw urged anyone with information about the attack to contact police.
“At this time, last night’s shooting incident on 400 N. Busti St. appears to be a cowardly assault on the lives of uniformed Philadelphia Police Officers,” Commissioner Outlaw said on Wednesday, according to WTXF. “Our brave officers will not be deterred from doing their jobs by individuals who wish to destroy peaceful society.”
