Fairless Hills State Trooper Shot In Gun Battle

At least eight bullet holes dotted the windshield of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Patrick R. Casey’s Ford Crown Victoria patrol car as it sat surrounded by crime scene investigators in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia late Tuesday morning.

Each bullet hole marked the dangerous gun battle that was sparked when a person inside a car that fled a traffic stop in the University City section of Philadelphia allegedly began exchanging gunfire with Casey, a Fairless Hills resident.

Casey was struck once with a bullet in his left shoulder, leaving him with a flesh wound that came just inches from causing a fatal injury. Seeing he was struck with a bullet, another trooper rushed to his aid on the busy Vine Street Expressway (I-676) and transported him to nearby Hahnemann University Hospital. A third trooper and undercover Philadelphia police officers rushed onto the highway to apprehend the two suspects, including the alleged shooter, state police officials said.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s office and state police said Casey was recovering Tuesday afternoon and hoped to be home with his family and fiance by Thanksgiving.

Bullet holes seen in the windshield of Pa State Trooper car LIVE COVERAGE –> https://t.co/wCmwB7jrz0 https://t.co/1nXNB4jFyT

— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) November 24, 2015

At an afternoon press conference, troopers said the shooter and another person fled when state police tried to pull them over for an expired registration around 9:30 a.m. Casey was called to assist in the search for the fleeing vehicle, which ended when the vehicle struck the back of a school bus and burst into flames. The shooting came next, with the alleged shooter pumping several bullets toward Casey. One state police official said the alleged shooter was “continually firing.”

Clearer shot of state trooper’s windshield. pic.twitter.com/sOGExKsotV — Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) November 24, 2015

From Wolf’s office:

Governor Wolf earlier this afternoon spoke with Trooper Patrick Casey of Troop K in Philadelphia by phone while he recovered with his family by his side at Hahnemann Hospital. The Governor thanked Trooper Casey for willingness to serve and put himself in harm’s way. Trooper Casey was in good spirits and spoke with the Governor about the upcoming holiday. The Governor was glad to hear that Trooper Casey believes he will be able to be home with his family for Thanksgiving.

Law enforcement officials did not release the names of the two suspects but confirmed they were being questioned by investigators from the state police.

Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Matt Gelb tweeted that crime scene investigators had marked at least a dozen shell casings on the the Vine Street Expressway, a major thoroughfare that was heavily traveled at the time of the shooting.

Only the driver was on the school bus that burst into flames after being struck. No injuries were reported to the driver.

“This morning we are reminded of the sacrifice police officers are ready to make every time they put on their uniform. Our wounded brother is a hero, and we’re relieved to learn he will recover from his injuries,” Pennsylvania State Troopers Association President Joseph Kovel said in a written statement.

Casey graduated from the state police academy in 2009 and has been assigned to Troop K in Philadelphia since that time.