Man killed after opening fire at 3 police officers in West Philadelphia

Published on June 14 | Updated on June 15

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Three cops were shot in the line of duty in the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia Saturday night. The suspect, a 54-year-old man, was killed.

It started around 10:30 p.m. at 54th and Arlington streets, where four officers from the 19th Police District were responding to a report of a shooting. Police said a man who wasn't involved in the original shooting approached the four cops on the scene.

At a press conference on Monday, District Attorney Larry Krasner said the suspect, identified as 54-year-old Eric Franks, approached the officers, became “increasingly agitated” and shoved one of the cops, resisted being detained, then pulled a gun and fired at the officers.

Three of the four officers were hit — one in the face, another in the leg, and the third in the hip. One of the victims is a 39-year-old sergeant. The other two officers are 43 and 30 years old. A 21-year-old officer was not injured.

The officers then fired back. Franks was shot multiple times and died just after 11 p.m.

All three officers were taken to the hospital; the 39-year-old was released on Monday. The two others remain there in stable condition.

There is surveillance footage of the incident, and all officers had their body-worn cameras on. The District Attorney’s office is actively trying to talk to the suspect’s family.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said investigators believe the man may have had bad intentions from the start.

“Around 10:33 p.m., officers responded to an incident where a car was shot up. During that period, an individual engaged them. They asked him to stand down multiple times. He didn’t stand down,” Bethel said.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said the officers put their lives on the line for the city.

“These are husbands, sons, and fathers who came to work today and almost didn’t make it home,” she said.

Suspect identified

Franks was a former Marine and retired firefighter with the Philadelphia Fire Department. The family's attorney, James Funt, told NBC10 that Franks was a firearms instructor who had a permit to carry.

Franks owned an events business on that block and had received a phone call that there was a shooting. Funt said Franks went to check that everything was safe and secure, and that's when he approached the police.

Funt said the Franks family is asking for a full investigation.

Neighborhood reacts

Neighbors expressed that it’s all overwhelming. Mr Morris, who lives a block away from the scene, said violence is a regular occurrence on his street.

“I heard a lot of shots. I’m not looking out the window. You look to see what’s going on and you get it,” he said.

Christian, another neighbor, ran to the scene when shots rang out.

“When I pulled up to the scene, I immediately saw that people were assisting the officers, but the civilian was lying on the ground not getting any assistance, so I started putting compression on the wounds,” he said.

Police are reviewing security footage from the neighborhood as they investigate.