76°
Yusef Coleman is charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, and related counts, according to PPD.
Authorities said the incident happened on the 2100 block of West Oxford Street in North Philadelphia.
The off-duty officer was waiting in traffic and honked his horn before a man identified as "Duke" came up and punched him in the face, PPD said. When the officer got out of his car and identified himself as a policeman, authorities said "Duke" pulled out a tan handgun and "held it down to his side."
During the struggle that followed, police said Coleman approached the officer from behind and placed him in a headlock. Coleman was also armed and the officer "manag(ed) to push the weapon away," police said.
The magazine fell out and the officer discharged the round in the chamber, PPD said. No one was struck.
"Duke" then pointed his own gun at the off-duty officer, demanding that he drop the weapon, according to authorities.
"The officer was subsequently beaten by multiple assailants and his personal weapon was stolen from its holster," PPD said.
The crowd dispersed when an on-duty officer arrived at the scene, authorities said. Coleman fled in a BMW, striking the off-duty's leg, police said. He was arrested later on Sunday.
"Duke" is still being sought by authorities, while the stolen gun was recovered on Tuesday, May 14, they added.
The off-duty policeman was treated for a black eye, facial bruises, and a leg injury. He is 42 years old and has been with the department for nine years, according to PPD.
He will be placed on administrative leave after he recovers from his injuries pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs and Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations.
Anyone with information on "Duke" is asked to call PPD.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Montgomery and receive free news updates.
