The Philadelphia police officer shot in a Kensington row home this afternoon is in good condition and has left Temple University Hospital, police said.
The officer, Richard Nicoletti, 25, a three-year veteran, has a hole in his jacket and a nick in his protective vest, but was otherwise uninjured by the one shot fired at him, according to police spokesman Lt. Raymond Evers.
At 3:20 p.m., police received a call about a man, who cops said was high on drugs, with a loaded weapon. When Nicoletti and Officer Matthew McCarthy arrived at the home at 1734 N. 3rd St., near Cecil B. Moore Avenue, they found a 29-year-old Hispanic male with a knife to his own throat, threatening to kill himself. The man's name was not released.
Nicoletti followed the man into the kitchen, Evers said. A struggled ensued as Nicolleti tried to subdue the man, at which point the man got hold of the officer's gun.
From another room, McCarthy heard Nicoletti say: "He's got my gun!" Only one shot was then fired, apparently grazing the officer's vest. The men were so close to each other that the chamber on the gun could not be pulled back to fire off another shot, Evers said.
McCarthy rushed to the kitchen and shot the man twice in the chest, killing him.
Tests are being done to confirm that the gunpowder on Nicoletti's vest and jacket matches his weapon, Evers said.
Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross told reporters that Nicolleti's father is an officer in the narcotics unit. He said the younger Nicolleti was a "tough" cop who served in the military overseas.
Nicolleti has scrapes on his knees from the struggle. He is not married and has no children.
"We're very fortunate Officer Nicoletti is fine and recovering," Mayor Nutter told reporters after visiting the officer in the hospital. he said.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
