Investigators say 18-year-old Karl Sappleton, of the 4500 block of Tampa Street was killed by campus police.
Sappleton was previously arrested on May 20th and released six days later after posting bail, Action News has learned. Furthermore, court records say he had skipped a hearing following that arrest.
The events leading to his death started around 2:45 a.m., police said, with the carjacking of a Cadillac by two men near the intersection of 50th and Arch Streets.
The victim called Philadelphia Police who broadcast a description of the vehicle on police radio.
A short time later officers from the 16th District observed the Cadillac traveling east on Locust Street and tried to pull the vehicle over.
However, the Cadillac sped away with police right behind.
A few blocks away, near the intersection of 40th and Locust Walk, the driver of the Cadillac lost control and jumped the curb, striking a concrete barrier.
Penn police picked up the chase on foot. That's when they say the men started shooting at them.
The Penn officers shot back, killing Sappleton behind the university library.
The other suspect, identified as 18-year-old Leslie Mobley of the 5500 block of Ludlow Street, was arrested at the scene. He faces a number of charges including attempted murder.
No officers or students were wounded.
University Vice President Maureen Rush said the early morning hour and the cold weather had kept people off the streets.
