Lt. Frank Vanore of the Philadelphia Police Department said, "As the vehicle stopped, the male exited the Buick. There was a confrontation between the officer and that male."
The officer fired 3 shots - one of them hit the suspect, 28 year-old Troy Pressley. His mother, Ruth, rushed to Temple University Hospital around 5 this afternoon, where at that point her son was listed in critical condition.
Ruth Pressley tells Action News, "I wasn't there, but I know from my bottom line, there was no need for that cop to shoot my son."
Ruth Pressley says a few years ago her son served time on drug-related charges. She believes her son is innocent in this case.
"I'm not saying he's an angel, but he's not a kid that would shoot at a police officer."
Investigators say it appeared that while the suspect was in the car he had a gun. Tonight, officer searched the roof of a nearby building, but a weapon was never recovered. Police say they did find drugs that the suspect allegedly dropped while both driving and running from the officer.
Philadelphia Police say the officer who fired the shots is from the 22nd District and is a 6-year veteran of the force.