PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A highway patrol officer was injured after he was shot in North Philadelphia on Monday night.
According to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, a 53-year-old cop and his partner were on highway patrol around 7:40 p.m. when they stopped a car near North 17th and West Cumberland streets.
The officers then brought out two people from inside the car, and the 53-year-old went to frisk one of them. That person, Bethel said, had a gun on them, which discharged and struck the officer in the leg.
The officer was taken to Temple University Hospital and is expected to be OK.
"He’s doing extremely well," Bethel said. "The mayor has met with him. The mayor had him smiling in the room. Very fortunate night that he’s not injured more seriously."
According to Bethel, the officers were patrolling that area because of an uptick in gunfire in recent days.
Bethel said the officer is a 20-year veteran of the force. He has a wife and three kids.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio for the latest.
Officials say a gun discharged during a traffic stop, hitting him in the leg
Officials say a gun discharged during a traffic stop, hitting him in the leg
