Philadelphia Police were called to 5th and Tabor Road in the Olney section of Philadelphia where a man was reported carrying a meat cleaver and two knives.
Police were forced to shoot the man after he refused to drop his weapons.
It happened just after 7:00pm Saturday night.
Officials say the man will survive his injuries. However, they are investigating what caused him to lose it in a busy intersection.
"I heard the shots. That's what brought me to the door," said Keith Chandler.
Philadelphia Police say a highway patrol officers had to take the man down who was armed with two 8-inch knives and a meat cleaver.
Keith Chandler was inside a bar when investigators say the suspect tried to get in with the weapons. An employee ran and locked the door.
"St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day," said Chandler. "People drink too much and get into the mood too much, and sometimes they act out."
Police don't know if alcohol or drugs were a factor, but the two officers encountered the man in the middle of 5th Street when they arrived.
"Both highway patrol officers ordered the male several times to drop the weapon. The male refused and ran toward the officers," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The officer fired three shots hitting the suspect in the chest, right arm and left leg. One of the bullets hit a parked car.
Lamont Thomas was a witness, and believes the officers didn't have to fire their guns.
"He did not understand what they were saying to him," said Thomas. "They were yelling at him, screaming at him, and then the officer just shot him."
Northwest Detectives are trying to determine where the man was before the incident and what lead to his behavior.
"I didn't see it but if he projected a threat to life, I'm hoping everything worked out and they acted appropriately," said Chandler.
Police say they have at least 6 people who witnessed the incident.
The name of the suspect has not been released. He is being treated at Einstein Medical Center.
