Two Philadelphia men charged after allegedly firing at officers during an attempted traffic stop.
Two men from Philadelphia have been charged with a series of criminal offenses following an incident in which they allegedly fired at police officers after an attempted traffic stop. Khalil Flowers, age 35, and Nathaniel Smith, age 30, were taken into custody on Friday after an altercation that unfolded in the Overbrook neighborhood of the city, as confirmed by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner during a recent press briefing.
The police officers involved in the incident were not injured, according to Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore. The events took place just before 5:30 PM on Friday when three officers, patrolling in an unmarked vehicle in the vicinity of the 5400 block of Morse Street, observed a white Kia Forte being operated in a reckless manner. Deputy Commissioner Vanore reported that the vehicle was seen speeding, ignoring stop signs, and travelling the wrong way down a one-way street.
When the officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver of the Kia fled the scene, during which Smith reportedly brandished a firearm and discharged it at least twice toward the pursuing officers. Following the gunfire, the suspects’ vehicle became immobilized behind a truck. The three men exited the car and attempted to escape on foot, prompting a foot chase by the police. Smith and Flowers were apprehended shortly thereafter, while authorities continue to search for a third unidentified suspect.
Upon conducting a search of the abandoned Kia, police located packaged crack cocaine, marijuana, two spent shell casings, and a 9mm handgun believed to have been used in the discharge of the firearm. Smith has been charged with multiple counts including three counts of assaulting law enforcement officers, aggravated assault, and related offenses. Flowers faces charges for recklessly endangering another individual, alongside various drug-related charges.
Both men are currently being held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, with bail set at .5 million for Smith and 0,000 for Flowers, as per court records. Preliminary hearings for the defendants are scheduled for August 13.
The shooting incident marked the beginning of a violent weekend in Philadelphia, which recorded 12 shootings, resulting in three fatalities and 15 injuries. Despite this spike in violence, police statistics indicate a downward trend in homicides, with 129 reported as of Sunday, a decrease from 152 at the same point in 2022. Additionally, the city has seen 600 shooting victims so far this year, a reduction from the previous year’s total of 646.
As authorities continue to address issues of gun violence and public safety, this case underscores the growing concerns in urban areas such as Philadelphia. The police department remains vigilant in their efforts to combat crime and maintain safety within the community.
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