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Drug Suspect Says ‘I Don't Want to Have to Do This' Before Shooting Philadelphia Officer

UPDATE: Officer Kostick left the hospital Friday.


A drug suspect said he didn't "want to have to do this" before opening fire on a Philadelphia Police bicycle officer in West Philadelphia Thursday night, said Philadelphia Police.

Officer Daniel Kostick and his partner approached a man inside a white van in the area of Wilton Street and Girard Avenue around 10:15 p.m. suspecting possible narcotics violations, said police.

The man then backed up and took off. Kostick caught up to the suspect around 51st and Master streets.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross explained what happened next: "They're having a brief discussion... the male turns to him and says, 'I don't want to have to do this' and then he fires at Officer Kostick. Kostick returns fire, striking the male."

Originally police said Officer Daniel Kostick was hit in the thigh but they later clarified that the officer was hit in the right arm.

After the shooting, fellow officers rushed Kostick to Presbyterian Hospital in University City, where the married father of two was listed in stable condition, said police. He is expected to remain hospitalized for several days, authorities said.

Ross said Kostick, an eight-year veteran assigned to the 19th District, was in "good spirits."

"He's very lucky given the circumstances," said Ross.

Police later found the suspect in an alley behind the 5000 block of Master Street.

As SkyForce10 hovered overhead, officers could be seen putting a man into a police van. It wasn't clear that person's role in the shooting.

The suspect was rushed to Hahnemann Hospital. Police didn't reveal his condition.

Investigators recovered a gun at the scene, said Ross.

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