PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - An off-duty Philadelphia police officer was shot in the hand Friday night in North Philadelphia.

Authorities say it happened just before 5 p.m., when a group of teens started shooting at each other near 10th and Parrish Streets.

Commissioner Richard Ross says off-duty police officer Angelo Romero was outside with his two-year-old son:

"Unfortunately, he was caught in the crossfire, immediately covered his son, which any father would do.

Ross says Romero ran his son to safety inside a family home, and called for help. He was taken to Jefferson Hospital and is expected to be OK.

"You got these young guys out here with these guns, who are just wanting violence," Ross says. "It makes no sense, just don't seem to have regards for their own lives, let alone anyone elses."

Officials are now searching for the shooters involved.

"Very young, in their teens, anywhere from 15-18," Ross says.

Ross adds Romero did not have a weapon at the time, and that the situation could have been much worse.

Anyone with information is urged to call police.