Suspect shot by SEPTA police officer outside Philadelphia City Hall after stabbing 3 on Walnut-Locust subway platform
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A man was shot by a SEPTA police officer after he allegedly stabbed three people, including a contracted security guard assigned to SEPTA, outside of Philadelphia City Hall on Monday night, SEPTA Transit Police Chief Chuck Lawson said.
Around 8 p.m., Lawson said transit police received multiple calls for a person attempting to stab people on the northbound platform of the Walnut-Locust station on SEPTA's Broad Street Line.
A female unarmed SEPTA security guard was stabbed in the neck, along with two other subway passengers, Lawson said. He said they're all doing OK.
A SEPTA spokesperson said the security guard works for Extrity, a security firm that contracts with SEPTA.
Lawson said the man fled Walnut-Locust and responding police saw the suspect near City Hall, where officers briefly chased the man. Lawson claimed the man was still wielding the knife when he was approached by officers.
Officers allegedly deployed a taser but it was unsuccessful, Lawson said.
A SEPTA police officer then discharged his weapon and shot the suspect at least three times outside City Hall, Lawson said. The officer is a six-year veteran of the department, according to Lawson.
It's unclear if the man lunged at officers, Lawson said.
The man was taken to Jefferson University Hospital and had surgery Monday night. Police believe the man is in his mid-40s and appears to be homeless.
No updates on the man's condition had been released as of Tuesday morning.
Lawson said officers recovered two knives from the man. The ages of the victims are unclear at this time.
The motive for the stabbings is unknown, but Lawson said at this point in the investigation it seems to be unprovoked.
Lawson said the video shows the suspect entering the Walnut-Locust station and making slashing motions with the knife. He said the video will eventually be released.
A leader of the union representing SEPTA Transit Police said the stabbing comes as the union and SEPTA return to contract talks Tuesday morning.
"I will say that violence is plaguing the entire city, including our system," vice president Troy Parham told CBS Philadelphia's Jasmine Payoute. "It's becoming inherently more dangerous, and SEPTA Police officers want to be out there to protect and serve the public. I'm confident that we will reach an agreement soon and officers can continue to do what they do well."
