Authorities have released new information about the fatal police shooting of a man who allegedly waved around a revolver Friday, Oct. 9, along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City.
The Philadelphia Police Department identified the man Wednesday night as 60-year-old William Austin. He died at Jefferson University Hospital shortly after a pair of law enforcement officers shot him with their rifles, investigators said.
Police responded to the situation at around 11 a.m. when callers reported a man brandishing a firearm in the area of 21st Street and the Parkway, according to the department. Austin pointed the gun at the officers, who took cover, police said.
A negotiator was brought in, and Austin continued pointing the revolver at himself and officers at the scene, the PPD stated. At some point, he placed the gun on the ground but picked it up seconds later, firing a bullet toward the ground, officials said.
After discharging the weapon, he pointed it again at officers, and two law enforcement personnel — a member of the PPD’s counter terrorism unit and a SEPTA Transit Police officer — each fired a single shot, police said.
The police department identified the city officer as 38-year-old Eric Lee, who has 13 years on the force. In accordance with PPD policy, he has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal probe and District Attorney’s Office investigation.
Police said they recovered a .357 revolver at the scene with three fired cartridge casings and three live rounds.
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