PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Harley continued walking, with members of the Sheriff’s Department following at a safe distance. Philadelphia Police Officers, including a 17th District Sergeant, and Officer Damien Stevenson (discharging officer) and his partner, both assigned to Counter-Terrorism Operations, encountered Harley at 18th and Moore Streets. The officers repeatedly ordered Harley to drop his weapon, and Harley continued to walk while holding the rifle or long gun - disregarding their commands.
Harley then turned down the 1600 block of Moore Street; as the Sergeant and Officer Stevenson positioned themselves on the northeast corner of 17th and Moore. While walking on the north sidewalk of the 1600 block, Harley raised the rifle and pointed it at them. Subsequently, Officer Stevenson discharged his long gun four times, striking Harley in the right flank area. Harley fell to the ground and dropped his weapon, after which he was taken into custody and transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he is presently receiving treatment.
Crime Scene Unit personnel examined and recovered Harley’s weapon, which was determined to be a black airsoft-style BB gun. The known information is consistent with multiple Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) and security camera footage recovered at various locations.
This investigation remains underway with the Philadelphia Police Department's Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation Unit (OISI), the Philadelphia Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau, and the District Attorney's Office.
Offender: John Harley, 36/B/M, from the 1900 block of Morris St. The District Attorney’s Office has approved charges for Possessing an Instrument of Crime (PIC), Simple Assault, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP).
Officer #1: Officer Damien Stevenson, 46/B/M, a 17-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of these investigations.