Separate shooting wounds student

A Wharton senior is in stable condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after being shot during an attempted robbery last month. And because of the shooting University Police are increasing patrols in the area of 39th and Pine streets, Commissioner John Kuprevich said. Samir Shah was shot in the abdomen as he and two friends were entering a house near the University's Veterinary School on August 13 when two masked men approached them and demanded their money, Philadelphia Police spokesperson Ben Frazier said. When the students resisted, one of the assailants shot Shah with a 9 Millimeter handgun. The men then fled east on Pine Street and south on 39th Street, Frazier said. Shah was transported to HUP, where he was initially listed in critical condition and placed in the surgical intensive care unit. As of last Sunday, Shah was listed in stable condition at the hospital. The gunman is described as a 23-year-old black male, 5 foot 5 inches, with a medium complexion. The man also is described as having short hair, a mustache, protruding ears, with a scar on his upper left lip or cheek. The second assailant is described as a 23-year-old, 6 foot tall black male, according to crime alerts circulated by University Police. Kuprevich said extra precautions have been taken since the incident. "Our Victim Support/Special Services personnel were involved at the hospital and have been working closely with the Vice Provost for University Life and the family during the student's recovery," he said shortly after the incident. Kuprevich said he created a new "special two officer beat" to cover the area between 39th and 41st streets, and Spruce Street and Baltimore Ave. That patrol will be in affect from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily. Shah, who had not previously been the victim of crime in the University area, said he did not realize one of his assailants had a gun. He said the man said, "Give me some money, and that's why I resisted." Recounting what happened after the shooting, Shah said, "I was conscious for a few minutes and I remember up until the point when the police arrived, and then I passed out." Shah said he is still planning to attend classes this semester, only with a reduced course load. "You gotta look at it that whatever happened, happened," he said. "You have to have a positive outlook and get on with your life." Shah said he is not bitter about the incident, but hopes that "the police can, to their best, bring the men to justice." Kuprevich said police have no suspects and have made no arrests. He added that University and Philadelphia Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact campus detectives or Southwest Detectives.