Off-duty officer hit by gunfire while shielding son

Authorities say an off-duty Philadelphia police officer was struck by gunfire while shielding his young son when they were caught in the crossfire of a gun battle between teenagers.

The city’s police commissioner said Officer Angelo Romero was on a street in north Philadelphia with his 2-year-old son at about 4:45 p.m. Friday when he saw a group of teens, and another came around the corner and pulled a gun.

Ross said the bullets then began to fly, and the unarmed officer was struck in the thumb and fragments hit both legs and his buttocks. His son was uninjured.

The commissioner said the officer was able to get the toddler to safety at a nearby relative’s house and then was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for treatment.