39 Shots Fired In South Philly Gun Battle That Killed 1: Police

PHILADELPHIA – More details on the fatal police-involved shooting in South Philadelphia have been released by Philadelphia Police.

New information from the police department shows 39 total shots were fired by four police officers and Charles Meadows, who died after being shot by police, the morning of Thursday, Aug. 9.

Meadows, 48, of Philadelphia died Thursday at Presbyterian Hospital after being shot by police, who returned fire after Meadows fired on police at two separate times Thursday.

The incident began at about 11 a.m. on the 2000 block of McKean Street when Officers Cucinelli, a one-year veteran assigned to the 1st District, and McMahon, a 2-year veteran assigned to the 1st District, saw Meadows riding a bike and tried to stop him after seeing what they though might be a gun in his waist, police said.

The officers tried to stop Meadows, but he ditched the bike and ran off.

Cucinelli pulled out his gun and told Meadows to show his hands, but Meadows fell to the ground and dropped a .40 caliber handgun and picked it up after police ordered him not to, police said.

Meadows then fired the gun at the officers and Cucinelli fired seven shots and McMahon 13 at Meadows, police said.

Meadows then ran south to 20th street while still shooting, police said.

He then headed west on Snyder where he encountered two more officers – Officers McGarvey, an 11-year veteran assigned to the 1st District, and McKnight, an 11-year veteran assigned to the 1st District – in a police cruiser and pointed his gun at them, police said.

McKnight fired seven shots and McGarvey fired five shots at Meadows through the front windshield of the cruiser, police said.

Meadows was hit in the groin and arms then fell to the ground, dropping the gun, police said.

He was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead, according to police.

Police said the gun Meadows used had six .40 caliber cartridges in it. Police found seven .40 caliber bullet on 20th Street where Meadows fired his weapon at the first two officers, police said.

Police are still investigating the shooting.

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