A man who was riding a dirt bike is in the hospital after he was shot by a police officer on Saturday. Officials say an officer was speaking to him when he pulled out a gun before an officer shot him. NBC10’s Brian Sheehan has the latest.
A man riding a dirt bike was shot by an officer with the Philadelphia Police Department's ATV enforcement unit, according to officials.
Just after 3 p.m., uniformed police officers were following a dirt bike rider in North Philadelphia, according to Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram.
The deputy commissioner said that the rider pulled into a gated area once he realized officers were tailing him.
When one of the officers approached the rider at 6th and Somerset streets, the officer explained to the rider that what he was doing was illegal in the city of Philadelphia, Cram explained.
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During this conversation, the dirt bike rider showed that he had a gun, Cram said. This is when a second officer discharged his weapon and hit the rider twice.
The rider was alone when officers approached him, according to Cram. The rider's age is unknown at this time.
The rider was taken to a nearby hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition, police said.
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One man told NBC10 that he was working inside the auto body shop when he heard two gunshots just on the other side of the closed garage door. He says he went outside and saw a plain clothed officer holding a gun and the dirt bike rider was on the ground.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
"We all know the problems that ATVs, dirt bikes, car meets, cause for our city, right? The neighbors hate them, right? Let’s be honest. There’s nothing safe about their activity. They all know it’s wrong," Cram said.
Deputy Commissioner Cram said that the enforcement unit has already confiscated more than 180 ATVs and dirt bikes this summer, which is more than last year.
“It’s not uncommon for us to uncover guns when we are doing dirt bike enforcement. And this is a prime example the dangers they pose to the city," he said.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
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