Philadelphia Police swarmed into the area searching for a teenager who fired at an officer.
A police helicopter and K-9 unites were brought in to assist in the search for the gunman.
According to officials, the teenager was being followed by a 25th district officer for suspicious activity.
"While inside of a vacant lot inside the 1200 block of Hazzard Street, the male turned, pulled out a weapon, and fired it at least one time at the pursuing officer. The officer returned fire," Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department said.
Police say the gunman then dropped his weapon, a 40 caliber Glock and then fled on foot down an alley off the 1200 block of Hazzard Street.
"However, the officer was not struck by gunfire, though he was fired upon, the officer was not struck," Small said.
What remains unclear is whether the gunman was struck when the officer fired several shots at him.
In addition to the weapon, police recovered a t-shirt they think may have been discarded by the gunman as he fled.
"We're dealing with the suspects out here with guns and some of them won't hesitate to fire them at police like they did at this particular incident. It was a very close call for the police and we're very fortunate the officer did not get struck by gunfire," Small said.
The gunman is described as a 16-year-old black male, about 5'8, thin build, wearing a white t-shirt that is believed to have been left behind and blue jeans.
Action News has learned that the suspect was captured on surveillance tape by a nearby business and in addition the weapon that was recovered, police believe his fingerprints may be on a vehicle he was leaning on before the chase and shooting began.
