Three officers wounded, assailant killed in Philadelphia shooting

A late-night shooting in Philadelphia left three police officers wounded and the assailant dead, according to authorities. The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the Wynnefield neighborhood when officers responded to a call about a vehicle struck by gunfire.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a 57-year-old man, identified as Eric Franks, who became confrontational. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated that officers repeatedly ordered Franks not to draw his weapon, but he proceeded to fire at them. The officers returned fire, striking Franks, who was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Investigators recovered nearly 50 pieces of ballistic evidence and a 9mm handgun from the scene.

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According to preliminary information from witness statements, surveillance camera footage, and body camera footage reviewed so far, Franks drew a firearm during the encounter. Officers repeatedly ordered Franks not to draw his weapon. Franks then fired his firearm directly at the officers.

The injured officers sustained wounds to the face, hip, and leg. They were transported to hospitals and reported to be in stable condition Sunday morning. The officers involved have varying years of service, with one a sergeant with eight years on the force, another a seven-year veteran, and the third a one-year officer. A fourth officer was unharmed.

Family friends described Franks' actions as uncharacteristic, noting he was a retired firefighter with 19 years of service and a Marine veteran. The shooting occurred about 15 kilometers from Lincoln Financial Field, one of the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Philadelphia is scheduled to host six matches, including one involving the Croatian national team.

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Officers repeatedly ordered Franks not to draw his weapon. Franks then fired his firearm directly at the officers.