Off-duty Philly cop shoots panhandler he thought had a gun

An off-duty Philadelphia cop shot a panhandler who approached his car because he thought the man was carrying a gun, according to reports.

The detective, who was driving an unmarked car and wearing civilian clothes, was stopped in traffic soon before 9 p.m. in the Kensington neighborhood when the man walked up to the driver’s side of his car, video published by NBC Philadelphia shows.

The cop then fired four rounds through his window, hitting the man on in the stomach, according to the report. The man was critically injured in the shooting, but expected to survive.

The officer had his windows up and could not hear what the panhandler was saying to him, NBC reported.

He believed the man had a weapon and was trying to rob him, according to several local reports.

The detective, a seven-year veteran, was placed on paid leave while the department investigates.

via: https://nypost.com/2019/05/23/off-duty-philly-cop-shoots-panhandler-he-thought-had-a-gun/

Photo Credit: Getty Images