Investigators say it all started around 12:30 a.m. Friday when Officer Ray Blohm, a 31-year-old who is 10-year veteran of the force, spotted the suspect near Brownies Pub near Copley Road and Ludlow Street, holding an open container of alcohol and smoking marijuana.
The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Marvin Marmolejos of Upper Darby. He has a long criminal record, police say.
Police say when Blohm told Marmolejos to put down the container and marijuana, Marmolejos refused.
There was a confrontation, and Blohm used his Taser on Marmolejos, to no avail.
Investigators say Marmolejos then pulled a gun and shot Blohm four times. Two of the shots hit the officer in the lower back, once in the left shoulder and once in the hand.
"The officer tried to duck behind an automobile for cover and, as he did, he was struck twice in the back," said Supt. Michael Chitwood of the Upper Darby Police.
Blohm returned fire, hitting Marmolejos four times. Despite being shot, Marmolejos took off and Blohm gave chase, calling 911 from his cell phone as he chased the suspect.
He had to use his cell phone because the cord from his police radio was severed by a bullet.
A few blocks away, Marmolejos collapsed.
Both men are at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where they are in stable condition.
According to Chitwood, Marmolejos had a few choice words for police in the emergency room.
"He's saying he wished he had an AK-47 so he could have killed all the cops."
Blohm, the father of two little girls, is expected to make a full recovery. He was released from the hospital on Friday afternoon.
Marmolejos faces a long list of charges, including attempted murder of a police officer. Police say he was in possession of marijuana and cocaine packaged for sale.
