Police: Man Arrested after officer shot amid fights near Overbrook High School;

Philadelphia police announce arrest in high school officer shooting incident — Source: Anadolu / Getty

Philadelphia Police have arrested a man responsible for bring a firearm to a high school fight, and injuring an on-duty officer in the process.

The suspect, 30-year-old Dachan Seay, is facing multiple counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, reckless endangerment and other related offenses, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel announced on Thursday.

“It appears during this altercation, the individual appears to have fired the weapon into the ground. It appears at this point, the weapon, the cartridge, then ricochets and hits my officer under his vest,” said Bethel.

In the video, you can see students entrenched in a free for all brawl. As police tries to dissolve the issue, you hear loud pop (assumed to be the gunshot) followed by sounds of a taser being discharged before the crowd disperses.

Bethel said the officer didn’t realize he was immediately hit when the bullet struck just below his ballistic vest.

The officer was shot once in the stomach and taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital. He is out of surgery and recovering as of Thursday morning, officials said.

Mayor Cherelle Parker encouraged citizens of the city to send their thoughts and prayers to the officer that risked his life to protect the children of the community.

“I’m asking you to say a prayer for this officer and his family, as well as everyone who puts on that uniform to protect and serve Philadelphia,” said Mayor Parker during Wednesday’s news conference.

Bethel says high school fights are not appropriate, but common. But what is uncommon, is a adult aiding the violence between the youth, and expressed his dissatisfaction in the adult charged.

“You’re a damn adult. You’re supposed to know better. You’re supposed to be the one who has to come in here to de-escalate, not escalate,” Bethel said on Wednesday.

The adult, Dachan Seay, was taken into custody. Sources say another teen was also apprehended in connection with the incident.

While under his control, District Attorney Larry Krasner wanted to assure the community that Seay’s consequences will be justifiable based on his egregious actions.

“While this investigation remains open, I want to stress that my office will hold this suspect justly and appropriately accountable for his outrageous actions,” said DA Larry Krasner in a statement.

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