May 08, 2016
Source/Philadelphia Police Department
Desmond Abernathy (L) and Curt Joseph (R) charged in officer-involved shooting on May 3, 2016 in Southwest Philadelphia.
Philadelphia police have announced charges against two men allegedly involved in Tuesday's police shooting in Southwest Philadelphia.
According to authorities, 50-year-old Desmond Abernathy and 47-year-old Curt Joseph have been charged in connection to the May 3 shooting along the 5300 block of Grays Avenue.
At around 11:14 p.m., officials reported that 12th District Officers, on-duty and in full uniform, heard gunshots coming from the rear alleyway between the 5300 block of Lindbergh Boulevard and the 5300 block of Grays Avenue. When the officers entered the alleyway, they observed Abernathy standing on a rear deck with a gun in his hand. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon, but he allegedly refused to do so and a fired a single shot at police.
At that point, officials say Officer Edward Wright, an eight-year-veteran, discharged his service weapon and struck Abernathy in the right thigh. The suspect then fled to the rear of the residence. Police entered the building and found him lying on the kitchen floor.
A second suspect, later identified as Joseph, was observed fleeing through the property through the front door. He was apprehended and a weapon was recovered.
Abernathy was transported to Penn-Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition. He is charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, and related offenses.
Joseph is charged with hindering apprehension, violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, and related offenses.
There were no other injuries reported in the shooting.
