Four dead, two injured in Philadelphia shooting, police say

Four people were killed and two others, both minors, were injured when a gunman opened fire Monday in a Philadelphia neighborhood, police said.

The injured were described as boys ages 2 and 13, both stable in a hospital, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw said at a news conference.

Police believe they have the shooter in custody. Outlaw said he has not been identified.

She described the suspect in custody as a 40-year-old man who had a semi-automatic rifle, a handgun, a ballistic vest and a police scanner.

He also had several ammunition magazines, the commissioner said. She described the rifle as being in the style of the AR-15, a weapon originally developed for military use.

Officers responding to the attack at 8:29 p.m. heard gunshots and gave chase, and the suspect continued firing, Outlaw said at an evening news conference.

“He was actively shooting a gun at the time,” she said.

He finally stopped when he was cornered in an alley and drove off without incident, the commissioner said. She congratulated the first officers at the scene.

“I can’t even describe the level of bravery and courage that was shown,” Outlaw said.