Off-duty Philly Sheriff's Officer Shoots Teen Allegedly Breaking Into Car

The teen was wounded but in stable condition after the overnight incident in Southwest Philadelphia.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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An off-duty officer with the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office shot a 17-year-old boy who was allegedly breaking into the officer's private vehicle in Southwest Philadelphia early this morning. The teen fled the scene but later arrived at a nearby hospital with two gunshot wounds to the leg. The officer and a family member both fired their weapons during the incident, and the teen was found to be in possession of tools commonly used for breaking into vehicles.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of property crime and the use of force by law enforcement, even when off-duty. It raises questions about police accountability, the appropriate use of firearms, and the broader societal issues that can lead to such confrontations.

The details

According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. along the 7300 block of Bunting Place in Southwest Philadelphia. The off-duty officer spotted someone allegedly breaking into his private Honda Accord vehicle. Both the officer and a family member then fired their firearms, with a total of four shots being fired. The 17-year-old suspect was struck twice in the leg and fled the scene, later arriving at a nearby hospital in stable condition.

  • The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on February 10, 2026.
  • The teen arrived at the hospital around 20 minutes after the shooting.

The players

Philadelphia Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that employs the off-duty officer involved in the shooting.

17-year-old teen

The individual who was allegedly breaking into the off-duty officer's vehicle and was shot and wounded during the incident.

Scott Small

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector who provided details about the incident to the media.

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What they’re saying

“For reasons unknown at this time, the officer fires his firearm at the the individual inside the vehicle, a Honda Accord. Another member of the officer's family also fired his firearm at the teen, as well.”

— Scott Small, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector (nbcphiladelphia.com)

What’s next

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police are hoping that residential security cameras in the area can provide more information about how the events unfolded.

The takeaway

This shooting highlights the complex issues surrounding the use of force by law enforcement, even when off-duty, and the need for continued dialogue and reform around police accountability and the appropriate use of firearms, particularly in confrontations involving property crimes.