Grandfather of cop shooting suspect: 'He's better than that'

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The grandfather of the man accused of shooting and wounding a Philadelphia police officer spoke to Action News on Tuesday, and apologized for the alleged actions of his grandson.

Scott Griffin, 23, faces attempted murder and robbery charges in the shooting of Ofc. James McCollough, 24, on Sunday night.

McCollough was hit in the leg and was released from the hospital on Monday evening.

Griffin's grandfather, George Dowdy, said his grandson went down the wrong path about a decade ago when his mother died.

"He wasn't raised that way," Dowdy said. "He's better than that. I think he has a lot of anger. He has a lot of anger in him."

Meanwhile, Griffin's alleged accomplice, 20-year-old Samir Coyett, was arraigned on attempted murder, robbery and related charges on Tuesday afternoon.

Griffin is still awaiting an arraignment.

The two are accuse of carjacking a woman at 59th and Market on Sunday night, and Griffin is accused of shooting Ofc. McCollough as he tried to escape. Griffin initially escaped, but was spotted by police on Monday afternoon and taken into custody.

Griffin has 14 prior arrests and was recently released on gun charges for lack of evidence.