Man opens fire from atop of car in Center City: Police
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A man opened fire at a busy intersection near Philadelphia's City Hall Monday morning, police say. The incident happened around 8 a.m. on 15th and Market Streets.
It was a major disruption to people trying to get to work near City Hall in the morning. 15th Street was closed from Vine to Chestnut Streets along with the 1500 block of Market Street due to the shooting. The roads have since reopened.
Man arrested outside Philadelphia City Hall after police say he jumped onto the roof of his car and started shooting into the air. No one was hit an no property damage was reported, but it caused a major disruption to people trying to get to Center City for work this morning. pic.twitter.com/H935cD5mrL
— Madeleine Wright (@MWrightReports) January 9, 2023
Police say the man stopped the car, a green Toyota Avalon, in the middle of the intersection, exited, and jumped on top of the car. He then opened fire and his gun jammed.
CBS Philadelphia spoke exclusively with Philadelphia Sheriff Deputy Marc Lee-Newton. He says he was on bike patrol with two other deputies when they heard the gunshot.
"We heard a shot and then we also got a call over the police radio, a man with a gun at 15th and Market," Lee-Newton said.
Lee-Newton says he and his partners drew their guns and issued commands to the suspect.
Authorities say he then threw the gun to the ground and sat down on the hood of the car. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter.
Video shows the car parked in the middle of the intersection, the doors of the car were wide open when CBS Philadelphia arrived. Police were collecting evidence which was scattered all over the intersection.
Witnesses described the suspect threw his belt clip and handgun to the ground, causing the firearm to break into several pieces.
Nearby residents like Walter Lynch find the ordeal alarming.
"It's crazy, and it's you know, when I first heard it, it's a little scary, to think somebody can do that," Lynch said.
In a statement, Mayor Jim Kenney says, "acts like this will not be tolerated at City Hall nor in any corner of this city. I am troubled by yet another brazen and irresponsible action involving a gun."
Sherrif Rochelle Bilal says she is proud of her deputies for acting professionally and getting the job done.
"He shot up in the air, and as I keep saying, we don't know where them bullets going to come down to. Thank God, nobody got hit and nobody got hurt and they apprehended him without any further incident," Bilal said. "I'm proud of these guys. They worked very well, did very professional. They go right into the danger without even any of them thinking of themselves and get the job done."