A West Philadelphia man was critically wounded Wednesday after a police officer mistook him for a burglar and shot him in the arm, authorities said.
About 4:45 p.m., a police officer responded to a call for a burglary in progress at a house on the 6000 block of Christian Street. When the officer, in uniform and in a marked vehicle, arrived, the front door was open, said Lt. Ray Evers, a police spokesman.
After the officer and a man in the house had a confrontation, the officer pulled out his gun and fired one shot, which struck the man in the arm, Evers said.
The bullet went through the man's arm and into his chest, Evers said. He was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was listed in critical condition Wednesday night.
"No weapon was found on the person shot," Evers said.
The District Attorney's Office and the Police Department's Internal Affairs Division were investigating.
Police were not sure if there actually was a burglary at any point Wednesday at the home. Officers were trying to track the initial 911 call that reported a burglary.
Neither the victim nor the police officer was identified Wednesday.
The officer will be placed on administrative duty during the investigation, Evers said.
Contact staff writer Claudia Vargas at 856-779-3917, [email protected] or @InqCVargas on Twitter.
Copyright 2011 Philadelphia Newspapers, LLCAll Rights Reserved
