A man who was armed with a machete was shot while confronting a burglar who was targeting his brother's home in North Philadelphia early Wednesday morning, police and witnesses said.
The incident occurred at 3:49 a.m. along the 2000 block of North Bodine Street.
Police said the 56-year-old man noticed the air conditioner unit had been pulled from the window of his brother who lived next door to him. The 56-year-old man and other neighbors then went to the home to investigate, police said. They then spotted a burglar exiting through the front door of the home, according to investigators.
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The 56-year-old man, who was armed with a machete, then confronted the burglar, police said. The burglar then pulled out a gun and opened fire, shooting the 56-year-old man in the stomach.
The victim was taken to the hospital where he is currently in critical condition. Police have not released a detailed description of the suspect, only saying he appeared to be in his early 20s and was last seen headed west on Berks Street.
Police also said the victim's brother was inside his home during the incident but was sleeping the entire time.
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“My brother heard some noise at 3 o'clock in the morning…he went out there with a machete trying to stop the person, but I guess the person had a gun," Nelson Ramos, the victim's brother, said. "That's my brother, I feel sad right now."
"When the neighbors confronted this burglar, that's when the burglar pulled the gun and fired one shot striking the 56-year-old," Small said.
The incident was one of three shootings that occurred within a two-hour span early Wednesday morning in North Philadelphia.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
