Three Philadelphia police officers are recovering after being shot late Saturday night into Sunday while investigating reports of gunfire, and the suspect’s family is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident. Philadelphia Mayor Cheryl Parker said it is by the “grace of God” that the officers are expected to survive despite their injuries. One officer was shot in the face, another in the hip, and the third in the leg. Philadelphia police said there is no definitive timeline for their release from the hospital. The injured officers include two police officers and a sergeant.Confrontation turns deadlyThey were investigating reports of a car hit by gunfire near 54th Street and Arlington Street when they were approached by a man identified as Eric Franks. According to police, a confrontation occurred after officers explained they were there to establish a crime scene.Video footage shows Franks, wearing a light blue shirt and hat, visibly agitated. Another person attempted to intervene before Franks shoved a Philadelphia police sergeant. The situation escalated as officers tried to take Franks into custody. He backed up and aimed a gun at the officers and sergeant. Police said Franks shot three of them, prompting officers to return fire, killing him. Family calls for thorough investigationAn attorney representing the Franks family said Franks was a 19-year retired veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department and operated an event space in the area. The attorney also noted Franks had a permit to carry a firearm. “They want to make sure that the police are safe,” the attorney said. “They don’t want anyone to be hurt, but they want to make sure they find out the complete truth. We’re just on a truth-finding mission.” The attorney added that the family wants a thorough investigation, including the preservation of any video tied to the incident.
Three Philadelphia police officers are recovering after being shot late Saturday night into Sunday while investigating reports of gunfire, and the suspect’s family is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Philadelphia Mayor Cheryl Parker said it is by the “grace of God” that the officers are expected to survive despite their injuries.
One officer was shot in the face, another in the hip, and the third in the leg. Philadelphia police said there is no definitive timeline for their release from the hospital.
The injured officers include two police officers and a sergeant.
Confrontation turns deadly
They were investigating reports of a car hit by gunfire near 54th Street and Arlington Street when they were approached by a man identified as Eric Franks.
According to police, a confrontation occurred after officers explained they were there to establish a crime scene.
Video footage shows Franks, wearing a light blue shirt and hat, visibly agitated. Another person attempted to intervene before Franks shoved a Philadelphia police sergeant.
The situation escalated as officers tried to take Franks into custody. He backed up and aimed a gun at the officers and sergeant. Police said Franks shot three of them, prompting officers to return fire, killing him.
Family calls for thorough investigation
An attorney representing the Franks family said Franks was a 19-year retired veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department and operated an event space in the area. The attorney also noted Franks had a permit to carry a firearm.
“They want to make sure that the police are safe,” the attorney said. “They don’t want anyone to be hurt, but they want to make sure they find out the complete truth. We’re just on a truth-finding mission.”
The attorney added that the family wants a thorough investigation, including the preservation of any video tied to the incident.