A 26-year-old Philadelphia police officer is in critical but stable condition after being shot Wednesday afternoon while responding to fights outside Overbrook High School. The incident occurred around 2:40 p.m. on May 7, 2025, when the officer, a rookie who graduated from the police academy in 2024 and joined the 19th District in March 2025, was struck in the abdomen by a ricocheting bullet.
The shot was fired by a 30-year-old man who arrived armed at the scene of student altercations. The suspect is now in custody, and the officer is recovering following surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
The shooting took place near the school in Philadelphia’s Overbrook neighborhood as students were being dismissed for the day. According to police reports, officers from the 19th District responded to calls from school safety personnel about multiple fights breaking out. As police worked to break up the clashes, some students began confronting the officers. During this tense situation, the 30-year-old suspect arrived with what appeared to be a Ruger 57 semiautomatic pistol and fired a single shot into the ground.
The bullet ricocheted, hitting the officer just below his bulletproof vest. Video evidence captured the moment, showing a crowd scattering after a loud pop confirmed as the gunshot. No other injuries were reported, and police did not return fire.
The injured officer, with just over a year of service, initially did not realize he had been shot. He was quickly rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, a facility known for handling traumatic injuries, where he underwent surgery.
District Attorney Larry Krasner stated that the officer is expected to recover, though his condition remains critical but stable. Philadelphia police data notes this as the sixth police-involved shooting in the city this year and the second instance of an officer being injured on duty.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel strongly disapproved of the suspect’s actions during a press briefing.
“You’re a damn adult. You’re supposed to know better,” Bethel said. “When you have an adult come to the fight with a weapon that could easily kill my officers… it makes absolutely no sense.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker echoed this sentiment, noting the tragic irony of the incident on a day honoring fallen officers. Governor Josh Shapiro took to social media, writing,
“Every day, our law enforcement officers put their own lives on the line to keep our communities and our families safe.”
Krasner vowed to ensure the suspect faces justice, adding that support services will be available for the officer, his colleagues, and the community.
Overbrook High School canceled after-school programs for the day but went ahead with after-school activities off-site. Principal Julian Graham notified parents, reiterating the school’s commitment to keeping students safe and its no-tolerance rule regarding weapons on the premises. Extra School Safety Officers and Philadelphia officers were stationed at the school the next day to supplement security. The Philadelphia School District provided support to the affected officer and indicated that there would be additional operations and student support reports.
The incident recalls a 2013 shooting near Overbrook High School, where a 17-year-old student, Bernard Scott, was killed across the street from the campus. That earlier tragedy, which led to murder charges against two individuals, underscores persistent concerns about violence in the area.
The 30-year-old suspect is being held in custody, and a teenager was also taken into custody about the incident, although few details are available regarding their involvement. Authorities say the investigation is active, with further information forthcoming as it unfolds. The Fraternal Order of Police released a statement on their website, wishing the officer a speedy recovery and asking the public to keep him and his family in their prayers.