A man trying to break up a robbery in the heart of one of Philadelphia's toniest downtown neighborhoods, Rittenhouse Square, was shot Tuesday night, a police official said. And a day after the shooting, Philadelphia Police issued an arrest warrant for the suspected 17-year-old shooter.
The victim, identified only as a 39-year-old man, was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition for four bullet wounds to the mid-section, Chief Inspector Scott Small said. He was expected to live, said Small.
Small said he rode his bike up to a robbery in progress. Two gunmen were in the middle of robbing a group of people, he said. [[397540561, C]]
Witnesses to the shooting, which occurred at the park along Walnut Street between 18th and 19th streets, took to social media to say gunshots could be heard from sidewalk cafes lining the park. Video from some passersby showed crowded dinner tables on the warm October night.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Police Lt. John Stanford said police issued a warrant for the arrest of a 17-year-old. Officials say the teen's parents are cooperating in the investigation.
"We know who we're looking for," said Stanford.
The suspect wasn't identified since he is a minor. Police also continued Wednesday to search for a second male who had a gun during the robbery but didn't open fire, said investigators.
The robbery victims all know each other and cooperated with the investigation, said Stanford.
