UPPER DARBY TWP., PA – A senior citizen was injured during an altercation in an Upper Darby parking lot when he attempted to intervene in a domestic dispute. He was shot while protecting a woman who was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend.
The incident took place on Friday afternoon in the 400 block of South 69th Street. Police reports indicate that a 37-year-old man and his girlfriend engaged in an argument that quickly escalated, resulting in him hurling her to the ground.
A 73-year-old man armed with a hatchet intervened in the unfolding dispute. Surveillance footage shows that during the confrontation, the attacker knocked the senior citizen’s hat from his head. The latter responded by striking the younger man in the shoulder with the hatchet. The violent boyfriend then shot the elderly man in the foot.
This altercation left both men hospitalized with non-fatal injuries. While local community members expressed surprise and concern over the violent incident, the police confirmed that the boyfriend would face charges of simple and aggravated assault. Meanwhile, they assured that the 73-year-old Good Samaritan would not face any charges.
Despite the favorable outcome of the man’s intervention, local authorities cautioned residents against personally intervening in dangerous situations and urged the public to instead notify law enforcement via 911.