Man critical after police involved shooting in West Oak Lane

WEST OAK LANE (WPVI) -- A man is in critical condition after being shot in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane section.

It happened around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday near Lambert Street and Chelten Avenue.

Police tell us that officers were doing routine patrolling in the area when they saw two men leave a known drug location. But it was what happened seconds later that was a red flag for police.

"The car alarm going off drew the officer's attention," said Lt. John Stanford.

Police say it's not clear if the pair were trying to break into the car, parked near 21st and Chelten. But that alarm alerted plain clothes officers something wasn't right.

"At that point in time one of the officers does a frisk on the outer garments, feeling a gun on one of the males," Lt. Stanford said.

The suspect darts away, unknowingly running toward uniformed police coming from a different direction.

He then allegedly pointed his gun at officers.

Detectives say the suspect continued to flee, this time into an alley.

"As the officer approaches the entrance to the alleyway, the male turns towards the officer with handgun pointed towards the officer, at which point in time that plan clothes officer discharges his firearm," Stanford said.

Three officers - two uniformed, one plain clothes - fire at the armed suspect.

The suspect was struck in the torso. He was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center.

A second suspect was taken into custody for questioning.