January 17, 2024

Police standoff on Roosevelt Boulevard leaves 1 dead, closes lanes

A man in a truck exchanged gunfire with officers and a SWAT team, according to authorities. Outer southbound lanes remain closed

By Michaela Althouse
PhillyVoice Staff

Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

Philadelphia police said they exchanged gunfire with a man on Roosevelt Boulevard early Wednesday morning, closing lanes.

Parts of Roosevelt Boulevard going southbound are closed after a standoff between a shooter and police in Northeast Philly early Wednesday morning left one man dead.

Around 5 a.m., a man in a silver pickup truck parked on the side of Borbeck Avenue near Roosevelt Boulevard and the car dealership Gary Barbera's was approached by a police officer, who asked the man if he needed any assistance, according to police. After the man said he didn't need any help, the officer began to leave the scene but reportedly heard gunshots and requested backup, 6ABC reported.

A SWAT team soon arrived and received gunfire from the man in the truck, according to police. SWAT officers returned fire, and after medics arrived, the man was pronounced dead, police said.

No officers reported injuries and the the suspect has not been identified.

There are road closures in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard at Borbeck Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia due to a police investigation. Expect delays in southbound lanes of the boulevard during closure. Avoid the area and follow police direction.
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) January 17, 2024

All four lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard were closed due to the incident, which took place in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood. Northbound lanes reopened around 6 a.m. and the inner southbound lanes reopened later in the morning, but outer southbound lanes are still closed. Officers are asking residents to avoid the area and said delays for drivers are expected.

Drivers may also be delayed due to yesterday's snowfall, the first in two years. Cold temperatures mean icy roads may be an issue. Additional snow is expected Friday.