Teen fires at police, then flees

By CHRISTINE OLLEYPhiladelphia Daily News
olleyc@phillynews.com 215-854-5184
A teenage boy eluded capture last night after he exchanged gunfire with police in North Philadelphia, police said.
The youth, about 16, was observed "acting suspiciously" by two police officers about 8:20 p.m. near 12th and Huntingdon streets, said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
When officers tried to approach him, he ran off and one officer chased him, Small said.
The suspect stopped in a vacant lot on Hazzard Street near 12th, turned around and pulled out a handgun and fired at least once at the officer, who was not hit, Small said.
"The officer returned fire and the suspect then fled through a rear alley and he escaped police," Small said.
Police were unclear whether the youth was struck but Small said investigators were checking area hospitals.
Investigators recovered the teen's weapon - a .40-caliber Glock semiautomatic - in the lot, police said.
As police searched for the teen hours after the incident, cops were relieved that the officer was not injured.
"We're dealing with suspects out here with guns and some of them won't hesitate to fire them at police like they did in this particular instance," Small said.
"We're very fortunate that the officer did not get struck by gunfire."