Philadelphia carjacking attempt sparks gunfight, driver wounded as suspect flees
A man trying to steal a blue Volvo in Philadelphia shot the driver, who returned fire and escaped, leaving the victim in stable condition.
Philadelphia officers reported that a suspect attempted to hijack a blue Volvo, brandishing a handgun and shooting the driver. The driver, who possessed a firearm, responded with gunfire, after which the attacker fled the scene. The victim remains in stable condition at a local hospital, and it is unclear if the suspect sustained any injuries.
The episode unfolds as the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division investigates the Philadelphia Police Department's handling of concealed-carry licenses. The inquiry follows a June 9 letter from Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to Mayor Cherelle Parker, citing concerns over permit issuance and revocation. Philadelphia has operated under a “shall issue” framework for concealed weapons since the 1995 Act 17 reforms. The ongoing federal review could affect the city’s gun-policy enforcement.
Why it matters
The shooting highlights tensions over gun rights and law-enforcement practices in a city under federal scrutiny.
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