Updated: June 18 at 4:10 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are investigating after a 31-year-old man on a dirt bike was shot by a Philadelphia police officer in Fairhill Saturday afternoon. The officer was part of the department’s ATV enforcement unit.
Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram said officers with the Police Department’s ATV enforcement unit began following a man on a dirt bike just after 3 p.m. after receiving a tip from a police helicopter unit regarding a dirt bike recklessly weaving through traffic. They followed the man to a lot, where he pulled over at 6th and Somerset streets.
It was then that police attempted to confront the rider.
“There was a uniform officer explaining to the rider that it was illegal what he was doing. During the course of that conversation, the male introduced a gun into the conversation,” Cram said.
Police say an officer providing backup, later identified as Officer Paul Moore, a 6-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, attempted to disarm the man but was unsuccessful.
"It was at that point that Officer Moore discharged his weapon multiple times, striking the suspect," police said.
Police recovered his weapon and transported him to Temple University Hospital for treatment. As of Tuesday, he's listed in stable condition.
“We all know the problems that ATVs, dirt bikes, car meets cause for our city, right? The neighbors hate them. Let’s just be honest. There’s nothing safe about their activity. They all know it’s wrong. It’s not uncommon for us to recover guns when we are doing dirt bike enforcement, and this is a prime example of the dangers they pose to the city.”
Moore is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.