Philadelphia Officer Shot by Armed Bystander Near School

A 26-year-old Philadelphia police officer from the 19th District is in critical condition after being shot in the stomach while dispersing student fights outside Overbrook High School around 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday. A 30-year-old man, unrelated to the school, arrived at the scene with a Ruger-5.7 handgun and fired a shot that ricocheted off the ground, striking the officer below his bulletproof vest. The officer, a recent academy graduate, underwent surgery and remains hospitalized. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel criticized the armed adult's involvement as a reckless and dangerous escalation. Authorities have taken one suspect into custody and recovered a firearm. Officials are urging increased community and parental engagement to help prevent violence near schools.