Police Officer Wounded During Traffic Stop

WEST PHILADELPHIA - September 24, 2007 (WPVI) -- A man jumped out of a car during a traffic stop and shot a rookie officer in the face with a shotgun.

Officer Richard Decoatsworth, 21, was taken to surgery after being hit with birdshot, police said.

"One man reached into the automobile, got on the hood of the car, and shot the officer one time in the face with a sawed-off shotgun," explained police commissioner Sylvester Johnson.

Decoatsworth was shot just after 9 a.m. He had pulled over a vehicle carrying four young men.

After he was shot, Decoatsworth returned the gunfire and chased the suspects nearly four blocks to 51st and Arch Streets. He called for help, and then sat down when his bleeding became too bad. A responding officer then drove Decoatsworth to the hospital.

Meanwhile, scores of his colleagues flooded the West Philadelphia neighborhood where the shooting happened and went door-to-door. The man who allegedly fired the gun was taken in custody, police said, when he tried to break into a house. He was found in alley hiding in the bushes.

The suspect was later identified as 20-year-old Antonio Coulter of Farson Street. He is facing attempted murder, aggravated assault and related charges.

Three teenagers, two of them in school district uniforms, came to police headquarters with their parents late Monday. Sources said police are counting on them to be material witnesses in the case.

Decoatsworth's injuries were not considered life-threatening. He was moved to intensive care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after several hours of surgery. Decoatsworth was listed in serious condition on Monday night.

Decoatsworth graduated from the police academy in March.

(Copyright 2007 by 6abc and Action News. All rights reserved.)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•