PHILADELPHIA, PA – A Philadelphia teenager carrying a toy gun was shot in the leg late Sunday night while reportedly trying to rob a man who was legally armed. As confirmed by the Philadelphia Police Department, the incident occurred around 11 p.m. on the 2200 block of Emerald Street.
The 16-year-old, along with an accomplice, is alleged to have tried robbing a man and his girlfriend. One of the suspects pressed what appeared to be a weapon into the man’s back and demanded his wallet, keys, and belongings.
However, the unsuspecting robbers were unaware that the man had a legally owned firearm on him. In response to the threat, he shot at the suspects, hitting the 16-year-old in the leg.
Further investigation revealed that the weapon used by the teen was actually a toy gun, which the police retrieved at the crime scene. Philadelphia Police Inspector DF Pace commented that under those circumstances, the victim would not have been able to discern the authenticity of the weapon.
The robbed man was unharmed during the incident, while the wounded teenager was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and remains under police custody. Authorities are still on the hunt for the second suspect involved in the incident.