Three Philadelphia police officers shot in Wynnefield expected to be OK, suspected shooter dead

Three Philadelphia police officers are expected to be OK after being shot in the Wynnefield section of the city.

The shooting happened at North 54th and Arlington streets around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said the officers were responding to a shooting incident where a car "had been shot up" when a man began "engaging them multiple times."

Bethel said the officers told the man to stand down multiple times, but he refused.

When officers went to arrest him around 10:45 p.m., the man took out a gun, which resulted in an "exchange of gunfire," Bethel said.

Bethel said four officers discharged their weapons. The 57-year-old man who was shot in the exchange was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 11:08 p.m. He was shot in the chest and right leg during the encounter, police said.

Friends and an attorney for the family identified the man Sunday as Eric Franks, a husband and father of two who owned several businesses in the area. They said Franks was a former Philadelphia firefighter and Marine veteran.

In an update on Sunday, police said Franks was becoming "increasingly agitated" during the interaction and shoved a sergeant. While two officers were trying to detain Franks, he got out a gun. Police told him multiple times not to draw the weapon, but Franks fired "directly toward the police officers," according to a news release from police.

When contacted for a statement, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Fire Department declined to comment because of the "active investigation."

Three officers, one of whom is a sergeant, were injured and taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said Saturday night that one officer was shot in the face, another was shot in the hip, and one was shot in the leg. All three are in stable condition, Parker said. All three discharged their weapons during the incident, according to police.

The sergeant is a 39-year-old man who has eight years of service with the department. One of the officers who was shot is a 43-year-old man with one year of service, and the other is a 30-year-old man who has been with the department for seven years.

A fourth officer who fired his gun has been on the force for one year, but was not injured.  

At the scene, police recovered a handgun owned by Franks, who had a valid license to carry it, according to police.

"These officers are husbands and fathers, sons and brothers, and they almost didn't make it home tonight," Parker said in a social media post. "Our Officers put their lives on the line every day. They go to work, and they don't know if they'll even come home when their shift is over. I want everyone to keep them in prayer tonight, and remember their Sacrifice for our City."

Bethel said the officers met with Parker Saturday and were "in great spirits."

Investigation underway

Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the block where the shooting happened, and expect to release more details about what led up to the shooting this week.

In a statement released Sunday, Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson (at-large) said she visited the officers in the hospital and is "deeply saddened" by Saturday night's shooting, which happened just two blocks from her home.

"I want to thank the first responders who acted swiftly and courageously. Their professionalism and dedication to protecting our community are deeply appreciated not just tonight but each and every day.

"As more information becomes available, I will continue to work closely with the Administration and my district Councilmember and colleague, Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., to ensure that public safety remains our top priority and that our community receives the support needed during this difficult time," Richardson said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also posted on social media that Pennsylvania State Police are in touch with the Philadelphia Police Department "to offer whatever assistance is needed."

Friends remember Eric Franks

People who knew Franks said they're left with unanswered questions after the shooting.

"I just don't know Eric to be whatever happened. I just know that he is a standup guy," Franks' friend Jesse Keller said.

"That's all everybody is saying — we can't, should not rush to judgment until we get the actual facts," said Randall Jefferson, who knew Franks.

The family's attorney, James Funt, is calling for a full and fair investigation.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is made available.