Gunman shot dead after ambushing Philadelphia police officer and going on shooting spree

The man shot a police officer eight times before turning gun on another officer and four passers-by

The gunman was eventually shot and killed by police after a chase on foot (iStock)

Two police officers and four civilians were wounded during a shooting spree in Philadelphia that ended when the suspect was killed by officers.

Sergeant Sylvia Young, a 19-year veteran of the local police department, was shot at least eight times by an approaching gunman as she sat in her vehicle late on Friday night.

“He just walks up on her...he just fired. He didn’t say anything,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said, noting that the suspect fired about 15 rounds into Young’s vehicle.

She was taken to hospital for treatment for bullet wounds in her arm and protective vest.

Nearby officers heard the gunshots and began pursuing the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect fired shots into a bar, striking a security guard in the leg.

He then used a woman from the bar as a shield before shooting her. He later fired into a car, seriously wounding a man and woman in the chest, Mr Ross said.

The chase ended when the gunman exchanged gunfire with police in an alley, wounding a University of Pennsylvania police officer. The gunman was killed during the gun fight.

“We have a lot of unanswered questions...this is a completely bizarre situation,” Mr Ross said.

The officer shot in the alley was expected to survive but the condition of the wounded civilians was not immediately clear.

“Some civilians are not in good shape at all,” Mr Ross confirmed.

Reuters