Robbery suspect shot during alleged police ambush in West Philadelphia identified

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police have identified a robbery suspect shot by police in West Philadelphia. It happened, police say, as the man was waiting to ambush an officer who was pursuing him on foot.

Marquis Cantland of the 5900 block of Addison Street in West Philadelphia is hospitalized in critical condition.

Police say he has prior arrests for aggravated assault and drug offenses.

The incident began around 6:00 a.m. Wednesday with a call for a robbery in progress at 60th and Spruce Streets.

According to Philadelphia Police Captain Anthony Ginaldi, officers from the 18th Police District responded and learned that a person walking to work had just been robbed at gunpoint.

They searched the area and spotted a person matching the suspect's description in the 200 block of Edgewood Street.

The suspect fled on foot when he saw police. One officer pursued the suspect on foot as that officer's partner pursued him in a patrol car.

The suspect turned north on 61st Street near Walnut Street and stopped, Ginaldi said.

The suspect then allegedly drew a weapon and waited to ambush the officer pursuing him on foot.

The officer in the patrol car spotted the suspect first and "ordered him to drop the gun multiple times as he stood there waiting for the officer to turn the corner," said Ginaldi. "And when he failed to drop the gun, the partner fired one time, striking the suspect in stomach."

The suspect was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and went immediately into surgery.

He is listed in critical condition.

Police say they recovered the suspect's weapon at the scene, and that the robbery victim has identified it as the same weapon used in the hold-up.

The robbery victim was not hurt, and no police officers were injured in the incident.