Officer Opens Fire On Robbery Suspect Inside Public Library

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Philadelphia Police officer shot and critically injured an armed robbery suspect inside of the Philadelphia Free Public Library of Greater Olney just after 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon.

The incident happened near the 5th and Tabor intersection. Officer's responding to the robbery of a shoe store on the 5500 block of N. 5th street pursued the suspect into the library just down the block.

Once inside, police say, the suspect attempted to blend into the crowd inside of the library. The officer fired at the suspect who, police say, lunged at the officer and was armed with knife. The man was rushed to Einstein Medical Center in critical condition with a head wound.

No patrons of the library were injured during the incident.

According to reports, a group of 20 to 40 kids had been in the library doing homework as part of an after-school program just an hour earlier.

It is unclear what was taken during the robbery.

The identity of the suspect has not yet been released.