Teen Shot Trooper During High Speed Chase: Authorities

A teen is in custody after authorities say he shot at a Pennsylvania State Trooper during a high speed chase in Philadelphia Tuesday morning.

Trooper Patrick Casey, 31 was shot in the shoulder and back Tuesday morning along I-676 westbound in Center City. He is expected to make a full recovery, authorities say.

It began around 9:30 a.m. in the area between 18th and 22nd Street. That’s when state troopers attempted a traffic stop for an expired registration sticker, Capt. James K. Raykovitz said during an afternoon press conference.

The passengers had been removed from the car, when one of them — a 17-year-old — jumped back into vehicle and took off down I-76, then onto I-676.

Casey, who was called to the scene as back up, then chased the teen in his cruiser. The suspect shot at the trooper, then crashed into a school bus, which ignited on the roadway, according to authorities. The shooter then got out of the car and continued to fire shots at Casey’s cruiser, Raykovitz said.

No children were on the bus at the time of the crash. The incident caused a closure of I-676 is closed in both directions.

Casey, who was stationed out of the Belmont barracks in Philadelphia, was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, where he is expected to fully recover.

Governor Wolf released a statement Tuesday morning in the wake of the shooting commending the trooper’s bravery.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Pennsylvania State Police Trooper shot on Interstate 676 in the line of duty today,” he said. “I am relieved to learn that the Trooper is in stable condition at a hospital in Philadelphia. Our men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line each day to protect us, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. The shooter was swiftly taken into custody by the Pennsylvania State Police.”