Officer's weapon discharges during West Philadelphia arrest

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A police officer discharged his weapon while apprehending a suspect in West Philadelphia.

It happened shortly before 5:00 p.m. Friday when police noticed a man driving erratically in the area of 52nd and Arch streets.

Police say the man lost control of his vehicle, drove over a portion of the sidewalk, and crashed.

That's when the driver fled from the car and began to run. Police pursued.

The suspect was eventually apprehended along the 5200 block of Race Street.

As an officer was arresting the man, his service firearm, which was in hand, discharged.

According to a witness, the bullet narrowly missed the suspect's head.

The suspect was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital for observation and then released.

Police say they are familiar with the suspect.