February 08, 2024
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Two police officers were shot as they responded to a reported shooting at an East Lansdowne house on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after, the home ignited. Six to eight people who were inside remain missing, authorities say.
A harrowing scene in East Lansdowne on Wednesday afternoon left at least six people missing, two police officers hospitalized with gunshot wounds and a house in charred ruins.
As authorities searched through the wreckage on Thursday, investigators found a human torso and a rifle inside the property, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said during a press conference.
"Everyone who was in the house with the fire is presumed dead at this point," Stollsteimer said, noting there are three adults and three children still unaccounted for who were believed to be in the home. The property at 58 Lewis Ave. belonged to a family with the surname Le, but investigators did not share any other details about the residents.
Police responded to the home around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving a report that an 11-year-old girl had been shot at the property. When officers arrived, they were immediately met with gunfire coming from within the house, investigators said.
Two officers each were shot once as they dove for cover – one in a leg and the other in the left arm, authorities said. Responding Upper Darby police officers, armed with ballistic shields, dragged the two to safety.
About 15 minutes after police arrived, a fire began on the third floor of the house. A portion of Lewis Avenue was evacuated as firefighters and police, including SWAT officers, arrived at the scene. But firefighters were delayed in combatting the blaze by the active shooter situation.
Investigators believe the fire was set intentionally by someone in the home. As the fire subsided, the house was left as a "burned-out hollow," Stollsteimer said. Authorities began searching the house for evidence Thursday, a process that could be lengthy due to unsafe conditions at the property.
Authorities were unable to confirm the initial report of an 11-year-old child being shot. Police also have not yet determined who made the initial 911 call or whether the children at the property lived there with their parents.
It's unknown whose torso was found at the home. Stollsteimer did not say where the remains were found in relation to the rifle. Investigators continue to search for other remains, but may not be able to immediately identify people who were in the home.
"We may have to resort to dental records and other means to determine who's who," Stollsteimer said.
Stollsteimer's office confirmed the identities of the two officers who were shot: David Schiazza, 54, of the Lansdowne Police Department, and John Meehan, 44, of the East Lansdowne Police Department.
Schiazza, the officer who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, was expected to be released from Penn Presbyterian Hospital around 3 p.m. Meehan required lengthy surgery for his left arm, but could be released later Thursday, Stollsteimer said. The officers have both been on the force for more than two decades.
Staff writer Michael Tanenbaum contributed reporting to this story
