South Philadelphia bike robbery suspect shot dead outside victim’s home: police

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A man shot and killed an armed suspect on a bicycle who police say attempted to rob him outside his home in South Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

It happened around 11:30 p.m. along the 2200 block of S. 6th Street near W. Moyamensing Avenue.

Investigators said a 24-year-old man was smoking a cigarette outside his house when another man on a bicycle approached him with a gun and announced a robbery.

Police said the 24-year-old pulled out his own handgun and fired a shot as the other man got off the bike.

Officers who arrived found the cyclist on the sidewalk with a single bullet to the head.

The male suspect lost consciousness as medics transported him to Jefferson University Hospital; he was later pronounced dead around 2 a.m. Thursday, police said.

Investigators said the cyclist also fired his weapon during the shooting.

“According to the 24-year-old who fired, the assailant, after being shot in the head, drew his gun and fired one or two shots, but did not hit the 24-year-old who fired the first shot,” Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

Small said the 24-year-old had a valid license to carry a firearm and officers recovered both guns.

Investigators said they were working to collect any possible video surveillance of the incident.

Police did not release the names of those involved.