Suspect shot with own gun during attempted carjacking in Cedarbrook: police

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police say the victim of an attempted carjacking turned the tables during a confrontation in the Cedarbrook section.

According to investigators, it all happened while the victim was unloading groceries from his car on the 8000 block of Rodney Street around 11:24 a.m. Wednesday.

That's when he was approached by the 24-year-old male suspect, who allegedly pointed a gun at him and said "this is a robbery."

But before that man could steal the car, police say the victim and the suspect got into a struggle. The victim took control of the gun, police say, and it fired once.

The bullet inflicted a graze wound to the suspect's abdomen.

After he was shot, the suspect ran away. Police found him on the 1000 block of Gorgas Lane.

"It's scary. It's very scary. Especially with a lot of little kids around here," said Crystal, a neighbor who had been inside with her baby with the attempted carjacking occurred.

The would-be carjacker was taken to the hospital where he was placed in stable condition. He is now under arrest.

His name has not been released.

The victim suffered a bite to his left hand, police say, but he refused medical attention.

"Usually older people are left alone by criminals, but the rules of the game have changed. I mean, kids are getting shot, we have now people being carjacked in their late 60s," said Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker.

Investigators say choosing to fight back is dangerous. While it worked out for this victim, that's not always the case.

As carjackings are on the rise, police say everyone who drives in Philadelphia needs to be careful of their surroundings.

"We know that these carjackings are moments of opportunities. We ask people to just pay attention. When you're driving up to your home, make sure there's nobody walking. If there's somebody walking you don't recognize, go around the block another time," said Walker.

Neighbors say this sort of crime is making them question their own behavior.

"That's wonderful. I am going to go get a permit to carry a gun because of this," said Donny Uday, who lives nearby.

"We moved here because we thought it was one of the better neighborhoods. We still kind of do because of the residents around here, but to have this happen is scary," said Crystal.