Suspect Shot By Police In North Philadelphia Had Lengthy Rap Sheet
By Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says he wants to know why a suspect with a history of eight arrests, including numerous charges of gun possession, was out on the street.
The suspect allegedly opened fire on two of his officers early this morning, just a short distance from Temple University Hospital (see previous story).
Detectives say the two officers were responding to a call of a "man with a gun" when they encountered Raymond Brown, who pulled out a fully loaded semi-automatic, pointed it at the officers and opened fire.
Fortunately, Ramsey says, the bullets missed, and the officers were able to wound Brown in the leg before arresting him.
Brown was taken to the nearby hospital in critical but stable condition.
Court records obtained by CBS 3 show that, following a stretch in state prison for drugs that ended in 2006, Brown was arrested again for gun possession in 2007. Following that arrest, a judge lowered Brown's bail, allowed him to sign himself out, then permitted him to be on house arrest twice, despite prosecutors' objections.
Finally, records show that when Brown ripped off his ankle bracelet to avoid monitoring in September 2009, he was jailed.
At his sentencing last June, records show prosecutors asked that Brown receive a 3 1/2 to 10 year prison term, citing his record.
The judge sentenced him to 11 1/2 to 23 months, ordering him released immediately because of time served.
When contacted by CBS 3, Brown's attorney, who does not represent him in this current incident, pointed out he did spend nearly three years behind bars.
