Police have been engaged in a stand-off with an armed man after officers entered a house under a drugs warrant.
By Sanya Burgess, news reporter,
Image:Police on the scene
At least six police officers have been shot in Philadelphia, officials have said.
Police
commissioner Richard Ross said a "pretty horrible situation [was]
unfolding" and "is not resolved" as a man continues to shoot at officers
in the Nicetown area of the Pennsylvania city.
Mr Ross said police were carrying out a drugs raid and had entered the premises but it "went awry almost immediately".
He said that "gunfire erupted and the shooter fired multiple rounds".
Officers returned fire and attempted to escape to safety by diving through windows and doors.
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He confirmed that six officers were injured, with one policeman wounded when a bullet grazed his head.
The officers were released from hospital later Wednesday evening,
with Mr Ross commenting: "It's nothing short of a miracle that we don't
have multiple officers killed today."
Two other officers, who had been trapped inside the building with the gunman, have been rescued by a SWAT team.
Image:Richard Ross said police were still attempting to negotiate with the man
The incident began at around 4.30pm local time (9.30pm GMT).
Hours later, police are still locked in attempts to negotiate with the shooter, who continues to fire out of a window.
"We
are trying to talk to this male and that he can end this peacefully,"
Mr Ross told reporters, adding that the man's lawyer was brought on the
phone to attempt to get the man to give himself up.
As night fell, the shooter remained barricaded.
Footage shows a significant police presence, with dozens of police cars and armed officers.
Part
of Temple University had been on lockdown for three hours, during which
officials from the institute urged people to avoid the area.
Image:A number of police vehicles are in attendance
The account posted: "Shots fired reported at 1500 Block Erie Av at
Health Sciences Center Campus. Use caution. Avoid the area. Police are
responding."
It added: "Lockdown is in effect for Health Sciences
Center Campus. Seek shelter. Secure doors. Be silent. Be still. Police
are responding."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said a number of its agents are on the scene.
