Off-duty officer fired shot during confrontation with burglars: Police

An off-duty Philadelphia police officer said he shot an intruder in his home after discovering the man and another alleged burglar in his home basement Tuesday afternoon, the department announced Wednesday.

The 8-year veteran of the force, who was not publicly identified, was placed on administrative leave as the circumstances of the shooting are investigated by the department’s Internal Affairs division and the district attorney’s office.

The officer told investigators he entered his Wellington Street home and noticed his television was missing, and that his rear kitchen window and door were open, according to a statement from the department.

The officer said he heard noises and voices from the basement, prompting him to approach the stairs with his weapon drawn.

The officer reportedly identified himself as a police officer, and a man downstairs began running up toward him with a “dark metal object” in his hand, police said. The officer said he then fired at the subject, missing him, and prompting the man to fall backwards down the stairs.

Two men then ran out of a basement door in his home, with the officer following, according to the release. The officer said he saw a green or blue van quickly pull away from his property when he exited the home.

No injuries were reported during the incident, police said.