Sources: Suspect In Parkside Shootout Wanted For Questioning About 2 Recent Murders
By Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police sources tell CBS 3 that a gunman who allegedly pointed a semi-automatic at officers, forcing them to fight for their lives, inside a Parkside store Tuesday night is wanted for questioning in two recent murders.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says that fortunately, no officers were hurt as they battled with the gunman before shooting and critically wounding him.
Ramsey, in an interview with CBS 3's Walt Hunter, says the "close call" for officers was very similar to a violent confrontation last August in which Officer Ed Davies was shot and critically wounded chasing an armed suspect into a Feltonville store. That suspect, Eric Torres, is now awaiting trial on attempted murder and other charges.
Officer Davies was released from the hospital after weeks of treatment for his life-threatening injuries. Fortunately, the Commissioner told Hunter, Tuesday night's confrontation had a different outcome.
Ramsey says the suspect wanted for the Parkside incident has a record of nine prior arrests for crimes including attempted murder, assault and weapons violations. They also say the suspect is wanted for questioning, but was not charged, in connection with a May 2012 triple shooting that left one person dead, as well as a second murder in January 2013.
Investigators theorize that when the suspect was caught with a powerful semi-automatic and a clip with 13 rounds of ammunition, he was willing to do whatever it took to escape, including opening fire on officers.
