Man critically wounded in shootout with teens trying to rob him in Philadelphia: police

Two teenagers, who police believe attempted a robbery and shot a man on Saturday night, may also be connected to other crimes in Philadelphia, authorities say. What the teens didn't expect was for the victim to fire back.

The shooting and attempted robbery happened at approximately 9 p.m. on Saturday in the 1200 block of 41st Street in the city's Wynnefield neighborhood.

Officers were called to the area for multiple reports of a shooting.

Police say at the scene, a 26-year-old man who had been shot walked up to responding officers to tell them what happened.

"He at least had the wherewithal, and presence of mind and the strength to explain to officers what occurred. Then we rushed him to the hospital," Inspector D.F. Pace with Philadelphia police told Action News.

Authorities say they also found a 16-year-old at the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim reportedly told authorities that two young men tried to rob him when the gunfire broke out.

"He explained to police that he was the victim of a robbery and we do believe that is in fact what occurred," said Pace. "He explained he's a legal gun owner and when the individuals brandished a weapon, he then brandished his own."

Police did confirm that the victim had a license to carry.

The injured 16-year-old was also taken to the hospital by police. Authorities say the other suspect, another 16-year-old boy, went to the hospital as well.

The teen who had been shot was placed in critical condition, while the other was taken into custody.

The victim is also said to be in critical condition.

Their identities have not yet been released.

Now, officers say they are looking into whether this incident is tied to other recent robberies.

"This area has been on our radar. It very well may be there's a connection from previous robberies and the one this evening," noted Pace.

Two weapons were recovered at the scene.

Action News spoke with a man who was praying inside a nearby mosque when the shots rang out.

"We were in class, we heard a noise, a shooting. 'Pow! Pow! Pow!' One guy fell here. Another guy right there," recalled Abdul Khaver, a custodian at the mosque.

Surveillance video of the incident shows people fleeing the area once the shots fire.

Khaver said there's a lot of crime in the area, especially at night.

"I just come to the mosque and try to make it home safely," he said. "With the element of crime in these areas, sometimes people need to feel protected. But it's sad, it was a case where this guy was attacked and now we have two people in critical condition."

"A lot of people are getting licenses to carry and with the element of crime in this area, sometimes people just need to feel protected but it's just sad where there was a case where this guy was attacked," said another person who heard the gunfire. "I just come to the Mosque and try to just make it home safely."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the police.

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