Police are investigating a shooting that injured one man near 40th and Spruce streets shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Four shots were fired, striking a Copabanana bouncer in the right leg, according to Philadelphia Police Public Affairs spokeswoman Tanya Little.
Deputy Chief of Investigations for Penn Police Michael Morrin said he was attempting to break up a fight at the restaurant — located at 4000 Spruce St. — that started outside near closing time.
Copabanana co-owner Brian Phillips said the argument leading up to the fight originated on the street, not in the restaurant.
The bouncer was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and was treated and released early this morning. He is in “good condition,” according to Penn Police Chief Mark Dorsey.
No one else was injured in the incident, Little said.
The bouncer told police the gunfire did not come from the people who were fighting but from an unknown third party, Little said. She added that it was unclear whether the shots were aimed at the bouncer or the people fighting.
According to Phillips, the bouncer said he thought a female fired the shots.
Little said there are no suspects at this time, but Phillips pointed out that Copabanana’s surveillance camera footage would be available to police to help identify the shooter.
According to Division of Public Saftey Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush, very few people were on the street when the shots were fired.
Residents reported hearing several gunshots, and said they saw people fleeing from near Copabanana after the incident. The group fled southbound on S. 40th Street, witnesses said.
Police interviewed people outside Copabanana after the incident, and told residents who were on their porches to stay inside.
No one involved in the incident is believed to be affiliated with the University, Dorsey said.
He added that DPS is working with Philadelphia Police Southwest Detectives, who are primarily responsible for the investigation.
“It’s in everybody’s best interest to find out who did this,” Phillips said.
Rush said DPS posted a public safety alert on its web site after the incident, but no additional notifications were necessary since the event did not pose any additional threat to the community.
Dorsey agreed, calling the event an “isolated incident.”
“Alcohol and guns don’t mix,” added Rush.
