A gunman opened fire on a woman believed to be his sister inside a West Philadelphia home Friday as officers were speaking with her, police said. The shooting then devolved into a hostage situation with six people, including children, were held against their will until SWAT officers moved in.
The incident began around 4:15 p.m. when officers were called to the home along the 200 block of S. Millick Street because of an argument between a man and woman, police said.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said officers were invited into the home and were speaking with a woman when the man opened fire.
"They initially had a conversation with the female and then he appears in the rear of the home and he starts discharging and that’s when it all jumps off," Ross said.
An officer returned fire as they ran outside for cover. Ross said the woman then escaped the home, nursing a gunshot wound, and moved next door. Officers were able to get her away from the home.
She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. It's unclear what part of the body she was shot, but Ross said the injury did not appear to be life-threatening.
The gunman remained inside the home, along with two adults and four children, as police called in the SWAT unit to negotiate with him.
The 20-something man, who is believed to be the victim's brother, also suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. Ross said it's not clear if he shot himself or was hit by police gunfire.
Ross said the two adults helped provide police with information as the barricade carried on.
SWAT officers moved into the home around 5:40 p.m. and a short time later secured the scene. The children and two adults were spotted milling on the home's porch as the alleged shooter was taken out of the home on a stretcher. His wound also appears to be not life-threatening, Ross said.
No one else was hurt, police said.
What exactly led to the shooting remains under investigation.
Photo Credit: NBC10
