CNBNews

 Search Underway for Person of Interest

PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 27, 2024): A Philadelphia police officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during a struggle with a man inside a grocery store Friday night, leading to the death of one suspect and a search for another who fled the scene with the suspect's handgun.

At approximately 8:46 PM on January 26, uniformed officers were in the vicinity of Mascher and Cambria Streets when they entered a nearby grocery store. Inside the grocery store, the officers approached a group of males standing in the store. While attempting to stop one of the males, the offender, later identified as Alexander Spencer (28/B/M), scuffled with police, and then fired one shot resulting in one officer being shot in the leg. In response, the wounded officer’s partner returned fire, striking the male.

The suspect was pronounced deceased at Temple University Hospital. During the incident, the suspect's handgun fell on the floor and an unidentified male picked up the weapon before exiting the store and fleeing the location. Police are calling the male a person of interest in this shooting and are warning the public that the male is armed and dangerous.

The wounded officer was transported to Temple University Hospital and is listed in stable condition. 

The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the specific details of the altercation, are under investigation.

The injured officer is a 9-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and is assigned to the 24th District.

The discharged is a 5-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and is assigned to the 24th Police District.

The discharging officer has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs and Officer-Involved Shooting investigations.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Please note that this information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues.