Off-duty Philadelphia officer opens fire during car theft in Eastwick

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A getaway car has been recovered after an off-duty officer fired shots at suspects who allegedly tried to steal his car Monday morning in the city's Eastwick section, sources said.

Crime scene investigators have an area taped off at S. 70th Street and Waxwing Place, near Lindbergh Avenue.

Sources said the suspects allegedly broke into a Dodge Charger that belonged to an off-duty officer just after 3 a.m. on Monday.

The suspects apparently pushed the vehicle around the block and then attempted to start the car, according to sources.

RELATED | Person of interest in theft of off-duty officer's car also wanted in PSU student murder case

Action News was told car thieves sometimes move a vehicle that way and then crank the car in a different location if it has a loud engine.

At some point, the off-duty officer encountered them at S. 70th St. and Waxwing Place, and fired several shots.

At least five shots were fired along 70th St., where investigators have drawn chalk circles around each shell casing.

The suspects were unsuccessful in stealing the car and got away in a stolen vehicle, sources said.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service in Philadelphia, 19-year-old Kadafi Fleming is a person of interest in the car theft.

Investigators also say Fleming was already wanted for his alleged role in the robbery and murder of Penn State student Billy Schmidt in South Philadelphia back in June.

Fleming's brother, 16-year-old Azzubair Outen-Fleming, was arrested in Colorado in connection with Schmidt's murder.

Police have not said where the Charger was initially stolen. It's unclear how the off-duty officer became aware of the theft.

Investigators believe the suspects got away in a red Lexus ES 350, which was reported stolen, according to officials. They then ditched the red Lexus and jumped into a blue Lexus that was also reported stolen.

The red Lexus was later found backed up against tall grass along the 4900 block of Merion Avenue in Parkside.

The red Lexus appears to have a broken sunroof, which police say is how some thieves gain access to vehicles.

The officer was not injured.

Shots fired during carjacking

Not far away, a person was also shot during a separate carjacking in Parkside.

Police said that incident happened at around 7:15 a.m. on Monday at the intersection of South 51st and Kershaw streets.

Sources said at least 4 shots were fired and that the victim's gun and magazine were found on the sidewalk.

Police say the victim was struck by gunfire in the chest and taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Police say the victim has a permit to carry and did return fire.

Those suspects got away in a stolen blue Volvo sedan.