Officer Shot Near Overbrook High School During Chaotic Incident

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia police officer was shot Wednesday afternoon near Overbrook High School as fights erupted outside the school. The incident occurred around 2:40 p.m. at the intersection of N. 59th Street and Columbia Avenue, shortly after classes were dismissed for the day.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated that several fights were taking place, prompting additional officers to respond. During the commotion, an adult male allegedly fired a weapon, which initially struck the ground and ricocheted, hitting the officer in the stomach just below his ballistic vest. Despite the injury, the officer did not immediately realize he had been shot.

The officer, who has been on the force for just over a year and graduated from the academy in 2024, was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital in critical but stable condition. Video from the scene shows people screaming and fleeing as the situation escalated.

No other injuries were reported, and it was confirmed that none of the students were involved in the shooting. The adult involved, identified as a 30-year-old man, has been taken into custody. Commissioner Bethel emphasized the irresponsibility of adults engaging in such violence, stating, “You’re supposed to know better. You’re supposed to be the one to de-escalate, not escalate.” No officers fired their weapons during the encounter.

The Philadelphia School District expressed its support for the injured officer and announced the cancellation of all after-school programming. They will provide further communication on school operations and supports for students moving forward.

This incident marks the sixth police-involved shooting in Philadelphia this year and the second officer injury in the line of duty. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) issued a statement expressing their heartfelt wishes for a swift recovery to the injured officer, asking the community to keep him and his family in their thoughts and prayers.