Philadelphia police officer shot by fleeing suspect is in critical condition

A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the neck Saturday evening and was in critical condition, officials said.

The 31-year-old officer was in critical condition and underwent surgery at Temple University Hospital, Police Chief Kevin Bethel said at a news conference outside the hospital.

The officer, a veteran of more than six years on the force, and his partner stopped a car with four people inside shortly before 8 p.m. The officers observed an individual with a gun holster and the suspect fled, shooting the officers three times, Bethel. said.

The wounded officer’s partner returned fire, but it was not immediately clear whether the shot officer fired his weapon.

The shooting suspect and all the people who were in the car are in custody and are currently considered “persons of interest,” Bethel said.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker asked residents to pray for the officer, whose name was not released.

“He didn’t expect to be fighting for his life,” Parker said.