28043647
Two men were arrested and charged with multiple counts of attempted murder for allegedly firing shots at each other and police.
Officers patrolling the 17th District heard several gunshots at 28th and Wharton streets at about midnight Friday, Lt. Ray Evers of the Police Public Affairs Unit said. The officers witnessed two men firing shots at an occupied maroon Jeep with an unknown number of occupants firing back on the 1300 block of South 27th Street.
A uniformed officer exited his marked vehicle and announced his presence, but Wendell Taylor, 28, of the 2200 block of Manton Street, and an unidentified man allegedly fired shots at the officer, Evers said. The two fled west on the 2700 block of Sears Street as more shots were exchanged.
Taylor and the unknown man split up with the officer trailing the latter into an alley between the 2800 block of Sears and Wharton streets, Evers said. Gunfire was exchanged prior to the man fleeing through the alley. He was not apprehended.
Backup arrived as officers scoured the scene for the gunmen, Evers said. Taylor was allegedly discovered hiding in a Pontiac SUV. Two houses down from the parked vehicle a 9mm Glock was recovered.
On the 1300 block of South 27th Street, police located Malik Noel, 35, of the 2700 block of Latona Street, as he is believed to have exited the Jeep with three bullet wounds to his chest, stomach and leg, Evers said.
Noel was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in critical condition, Evers said. He was later upgraded to stable and arrested the following day. Ballistics evidence indicated that the Jeep’s occupants also fired shots at the officers.
Police are still searching for at least one other man involved in the incident, Evers said. The motive between the groups of shooters was unknown as of press time.
“It was a fierce gun battle and we’re very lucky this officer got out without getting seriously injured,” Evers said.
Taylor and Noel were charged with three counts each of criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy murder, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and various firearm violations.
At 9:30 p.m., Taylor was in his cell at the 1st District, 2301 S. 24th St., Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. When an officer was collecting trash from Taylor’s cell, Taylor allegedly grabbed the officer from behind. Another officer tried to pull Taylor away from him, but Taylor is believed to have bitten the man’s right hand fracturing it and hit his back multiple times. In an attempt to secure Taylor, the woman officer sustained a contusion and scrapes.
Both officers were transported to Methodist Hospital where they were treated for their injuries, Tolliver said. Taylor was unharmed, but charged with two more counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
Also in this week’s Police Report:
Jackpot taken
Hoping for closure
Shots averted
28043647
