By Jack Tomczuk
An off-duty deputy sheriff and a member of his family shot a teenager who was allegedly trying to steal the officer’s car early Tuesday morning in Southwest Philadelphia, police said.
The incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. outside the deputy’s home on the 7300 block of Bunting Place in the Eastwick neighborhood, according to authorities.
Law enforcement officials said the deputy and the family member, possibly his son, went out to confront a 17-year-old boy who had broken into a black Honda Accord. Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters at the scene that both men opened fire at the suspected car thief while he was inside the vehicle.
Four shots were fired, and the teen was struck twice in the leg, Small added. He ran to a nearby car and was later dropped off at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was in stable condition, according to police.
Investigators said they were unsure who fired the bullets that struck the boy. At the hospital, officers found a screwdriver and other tools on the 17-year-old, and the Honda’s door handle was damaged, Small said.
The PPD said the teen was taken into custody and is expected to face charges. Neither the sheriff’s deputy or his family member were injured, and authorities have not commented about whether they could be charged. Officials have not publicly identified anyone involved in the incident.
The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office declined to comment.