The incident happened near 40th and Brown Streets shortly after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Officials say a member of Philadelphia's strike force unit, while on routine patrol, spotted a man with a gun and tried to stop him.
Moments after, the officer is said to have discharged his weapon multiple times at the man.
The man fled on foot and the officer called for an assist.
Police scoured the area, but the man managed to escape.
Officers did however recover a gun the man was spotted carrying.
The officer was ushered to Internal Affairs to file a report so that the matter can be investigated which is normal protocol under these circumstances.
It is not believed the man carrying the gun was struck or injured.
No description of the man has been released.
