PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Officials say the man who was shot by police Wednesday morning in South Philadelphia was carrying a BB gun.
Police say around 11 a.m., sheriff's deputies accompanied a building inspector from the Licenses and Inspections Office to a residence on Morris Street for a court-ordered interior inspection. After they knocked on the door and announced their presence, 36-year-old John Harley appeared, holding what they believed to be a rifle or long gun. That’s when one of the sheriff's deputies drew his firearm, backed away and asked Harley to “drop his weapon,” police say.
Officials say Harley ignored the command and went back inside the residence. The sheriff’s deputy then called for backup. Not much later, Harley left the residence, holding the same object, and walked away.
Two officers encountered him at 18th and Moore streets and repeatedly asked him to drop the weapon. He again walked away.
Then, while walking on the 1600 block, police say Harley “raised the rifle and pointed it” at the officers. That’s when a 46-year-old officer discharged his gun four times, striking the man. He fell to the ground, dropped the BB gun, and was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for his injury.
Harley has been charged with simple assault and related gun offenses. The officer, Damien Stevenson, a 17-year veteran of the police department, has been placed on administrative duty, per protocol.