KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (YC) — YC was first on location after police shot a man who is reportedly described as a “serial robbery suspect” Sunday afternoon at the King of Prussia Mall.
On Saturday just around 3:30 p.m. the suspect robbed a woman at gunpoint as she entered her vehicle in the Green Parking Garage. During that robbery, the suspect jumped in the rear seat and put a gun to her head, demanding her purse.
Sunday just after 3:45 p.m., Upper Merion police learned that the suspect was possibly in the green parking deck at the Mall.
Upper Merion detectives and officers responded to the garage and located the suspect driving the same stolen vehicle used during the robbery Saturday night.
The suspect had stolen the vehicle during a robbery and kidnapping in New Castle, Delaware on October 27th.
As officers moved in to take the suspect into custody, he began to flee through the crowded parking garage.
The suspect intentionally rammed three Upper Merion police vehicles and was actively trying to run down officers on foot near his vehicle.
Officers fired at the suspect, striking him while he was in his vehicle. The suspect was immediately given first aid by the officers and was transported to Paoli Hospital by Lafayette Ambulance.
A 9mm handgun was recovered from the driver’s seat of the suspect’s vehicle.
Per policy, the investigation of the officer involved shooting is being handled by the District Attorney’s Office and the Montgomery County Detective Bureau. The officers involved were placed on administrative leave until the outcome of the investigation.
According to sources, the man was shot several times including once in the back.
The suspect was a 46-year-old man, a source tells YC.
The part of the massive mall complex — the largest on the East Coast — was placed on lockdown for about an hour, store managers and shoppers told NBC10.
Mall officials released a statement Sunday night:
“King of Prussia is cooperating with the Upper Merion Police Department regarding an incident involving an armed suspect that took place in the mall parking lot. Due to the swift action of the Upper Merion PD the situation was contained, the suspect apprehended and no customers or employees were harmed. This is an active police investigation. All inquiries must be directed to the Upper Merion PD.”
This is a developing story.
