Trooper Shooting, School Bus Fire Snarl 676

A shooter is in custody. All roadway ramps re-opened shortly after noon.
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[Update Noon] We’re told that all ramps are reopening.

[Update 11:23 a.m.] Just a reminder: Don’t try to travel the Expressway right now:

Meanwhile, Jared Shelly reports:

Andy Ocasio saw the scene unfold from his 9th floor apartment that sits across the street from the expressway. A worker for Comcast, he was about to get on a business call when he heard “five or six shots” ring out.

He saw officers with their guns drawn chasing a man eastbound on 676.

“It looked like the guy was going to surrender but then went running down the road toward the underpass,” said Ocasio.

For Ocasio, it proved to be plenty of excitement for a Tuesday morning. “I moved here from New York a month ago and I’ve already gotten more action here than in Manhattan. It’s good to hear that there were no kids on the school bus at the time. That was a pretty scary thought.”

[Update 10:43 am] Gov. Wolf just released this statement, confirming the shooter is in custody:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Pennsylvania State Police Trooper shot on Interstate 676 in the line of duty today. I received an update from Acting Commissioner Blocker a short time ago and I am relieved to learn that the trooper is in stable condition at a hospital in Philadelphia. Our men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line each day to protect us, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. The shooter was swiftly taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police. No further details are available at this time.”

According to police radio, four males are in custody from this morning’s shooting of the Pennsylvania State Trooper. One suspect is still reportedly on the loose and is described as black male in 20s, 6′ to 6’3″ medium build, baggy jeans, facial tattoo under left eye.

[Update 10:25] Here’s what NBC10 is reporting:

The shooting took place near 18th street on the Westbound side of the expressway around 9:30 a.m. just as the morning rush was ending.

According to state police, the trooper was pursuing a suspect when the man’s car crashed into the back of a school bus, causing the bus to burst into flames.

The trooper, reportedly shot in the shoulder, is said to be alert and in stable condition. There were no students on the bus.

Police radio reports suggest four men have been taken into custody, and that “two of the men are the men wanted by the state police.”

Video from Philly Mag’s Jared Shelly:

And pictures:

Bullet holes in trooper car's windshield.

Bullet holes in trooper car’s windshield.

[Original] There are several reports that a Pennsylvania state trooper was shot this morning during an incident on I-676.

CBS 3 adds: “Police say I-676 Street is closed off at 22nd Street eastbound for police activity. Reports say a state trooper has been taken to the Hanhemann Hospital following an incident.”

At the same time, a bus was on fire near the same location. It was unclear if the fire was related to the shooting.

KYW reported the roadway was closed both directions:

And SEPTA was re-routing buses:

Philly Mag’s Jared Shelly was on the scene and shot this video of the bus:

More to come as this story develops.

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