What to Know
- A man waiting to pick up a fare suddenly had his SUV struck by at least a dozens bullets early Wednesday morning in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood.
- The man was treated at a hospital for a graze wound to his back and released, police said.
- Police say the suspects were fleeing a gas station robbery and thought the Lyft driver was following them.
Suspects fleeing a gas station robbery fired at least 12 shots at a Lyft driver who they thought was following them, police said.
Only one of those bullets grazed the driver who was able to make his way to outside the Philadelphia Police Department headquarters at 15th and Callowhill Streets, police said.
The driver, who is in his 40s, told police that he was waiting to give someone a ride around 3 a.m. Wednesday near 24th and Poplar streets in the Fairmount neighborhood. Initially, investigators said the driver was driving for Uber but later clarified he was driving for Lyft.
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Investigators told NBC10 four suspects stole items, including candy, from a nearby Sunoco gas station. As the suspects fled inside a white Chevrolet Impala, they noticed the Lyft driver.
"We're thinking that maybe the persons who committed that larceny theft at the Sunoco may have thought this individual was following them or trying to stop them from fleeing from the theft and fired shots as a warning," Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker said.
The Lyft driver said he noticed the Impala following him. Someone inside the Chevy then began firing.
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The driver sped off and made his way to police headquarters. The SUV had at least 12 bullet holes in it, including three shots that went through the windshield.
The man was treated at a hospital for a graze wound to his back and released, police said.
Someone could later be seen driving off in the bullet-damaged SUV.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
