Father, son charged in Collingdale police shooting

COLLINGDALE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A father and son in Delaware County are facing serious charges in connection with a shootout outside their Collingdale home that wounded two police officers.

24-year-old Lamar James is charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault while his father Tony Gayle is charged with obstruction of justice.

"But for the grace of God today, we would have loss two officers," said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan.

Around 6:00 a Wednesday, the combined SWAT team from Collingdale and Upper Darby arrived at

104 Lafayette Avenue to serve a warrant on James.

Police say Gayle tried to block the door while James allegedly opened fire on police who were on the front porch.

"Lamar James, who was apparently upstairs, ran down the steps with a revolver in his hand and fired four shots at the officers on that front porch," said Whelan.

One officer was struck in the hand and a second officer was struck in his ballistic helmet.

Philadelphia police had a warrant out for James in connection with an attempted murder on October 27th at 70th and Elmwood streets.

That shooting is believed to have been in retaliation for a home invasion by four masked men at James' home on Lafayette Avenue back on October 1st.

James was taken into custody and his bail was set at $1 million. If convicted he could face life in prison.