January 31, 2016
Three Philadelphia police officers were assaulted early Sunday morning outside a Bustleton bar while attempting to break up a brawl involving approximately 25 people.
According to authorities, the incident took place around 3 a.m. outside the Good Life Lounge on Bustleton Avenue in the Presidential Plaza Shopping Center, 6 ABC reports.
Police received a call from security guards at the lounge, who said a large fight had broken out in the parking lot. They reported hearing at least four gunshots at the time of the police call.
Responding officers found at between 50 and 75 people in the parking lot when they arrived. They reported about 25 people were actually involved in the violence. When a police sergeant attempted to break up a fight between two males, one of them refused to desist and provoked the officer by shouting, "Shoot me."
Another police lieutenant tried to intervene, but officials said the suspect approached the officers with the intent to fight. The lieutenant then sprayed the suspect with pepper spray, prompting his girlfriend to enter the fray. An officer attempted to restrain the woman, but she allegedly punched the one officer in the head and hit the sergeant and lieutenant in the back.
The female fled the scene but was quickly taken into custody by police not far from the scene.
While authorities did not find any gunshot victims at the scene, they recovered 11 shell casings in the parking lot.
Two male suspects were arrested for Riot and Disorderly Conduct. The female suspect who fled was arrested for Assault against the three police officers.
None of the officers sustained serious injuries during the incident.
