PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Philadelphia police are investigating an attempted car theft in a southwestern neighborhood that ended with the fatal Tuesday morning shooting of one of three fleeing men.
According to WPVI-TV, a neighborhood resident interrupted three men whom he believed were trying to steal his car. The homeowner reportedly stepped out of his front door and fired at least one shot at the three men.
The gunman, who has a license to carry his firearm and was not injured during the incident, was questioned by police Tuesday afternoon but has not been identified publicly, WPVI-TV reported.
The suspects, who tried to flee in a gray Honda Accord, crashed into the side of a Radnor Township school bus. One of the three men was transported to an area hospital where he died just after 9 a.m., while the other two suspects fled on foot, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Chief Inspector Frank Vanore told the Inquirer that it is too early in the investigation to determine if the shooting was justified but did confirm that homicide detectives are investigating.
“This does not appear to be a carjacking,” Vanore added, noting that officers found evidence of criminal activity inside the Honda.
“Just from vision you could see catalytic converters, some tools and what appears to be a firearm,” he told the newspaper.