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Officers near Mascher and Cambria Streets went into a nearby grocery store around 8:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, and approached a group of males standing in the store, city police said.
While trying to stop one of them, the offender, later identified as Alexander Spencer, scuffled with police, and then fired one shot, hitting an officer in the leg, police said. In response, the wounded officer’s partner returned fire, striking Spencer.
Spencer was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital. During the incident, the suspect's handgun fell on the floor and an unidentified male picked up the weapon before exiting the store and fleeing, officials said.
Police are calling the male a person of interest in this shooting and are warning the public that the male is armed and dangerous.
The wounded officer was taken to Temple University Hospital and is listed in stable condition. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the specific details of the altercation are under investigation.
The injured officer is a 9-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and is assigned to the 24th District. The discharging is a 5-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and is assigned to the 24th Police District.
The discharging officer has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs and Officer-Involved Shooting investigations.
Further information will be released as it becomes available.
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