One recent shooting in Upper Holmesburg appears to have been a case of self-defense while the motive for another in Summerdale remains a mystery, police say.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, a 38-year-old man and his girlfriend were walking toward the Pathmark at 8700 Frankford Ave. at about 5:30 p.m. when a man approached them in the parking lot while brandishing a knife, police said. The 38-year-old, who was legally carrying a concealed handgun, warned the other man to back off, but the guy with the knife allegedly charged the victims.
The gunman shot the attacker once in the groin and waited for police to arrive at the scene. Paramedics took the wounded man to Aria Health-Torresdale in critical condition. His current medical status is unknown. Police have not released his identity. He is 37, according to a published report.
Authorities did not file charges against the shooter, whose identity was not released.
An unrelated non-fatal shooting occurred last Saturday on the 800 block of Brill St. in Summerdale at about 8 p.m., police said. Officers arrived at the scene to find a 19-year-old man in the street with a wounded leg that was bleeding heavily. The officers administered a tourniquet to the limb and took the man to Albert Einstein Medical Center, according to Lt. Dennis Rosenbaum of Northeast Detectives.
Police have been unable to interview the victim, who underwent emergency surgery and was listed in critical condition. There are no suspects. A motive is not known. ••
