Two arrested and charged for opening fire on police in Philadelphia

(WPHL) — Two men have been arrested and charged after they opened fire on police officers in Philadelphia, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced.

31-year-old Nathaniel Smith and 35-year-old Khalil Flowers have been arrested for their actions on July 25. According to police, Smith and Flowers were “driving erratically,” moving in the opposite direction on a one-way street, and drove through a stop sign near the 5400 Morse Street. Police officers were sitting in an unmarked vehicle, observed the action.

This is when the car began driving away at a high rate of speed, and Smith pulled out a gun and began firing at the officers, as they began pursuing them.

A few minutes later, Smith and Flowers’ vehicle was forced to stop, which is when they attempted to flee on foot.

Smith and Flowers were apprehended and taken into custody after a short police pursuit.

In the vehicle, police found “a significant quantity of packaged narcotics”, including crack cocaine and marijuana, a 9mm firearm, and fired cartridge casings (FCCs).

Smith has been charged with:

• Three counts of Assault of Law Enforcement Officer (F1)
• Three counts of Aggravated Assault (F1)
• Three counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP)
• Three counts of Simple Assault (M2)
• One count of VUFA 6106 (F3) and VUFA 6108 (M1)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) (F)
• Conspiracy (F)

Flowers has been charged with:

• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP)
• Possession with Intent to Distribute (F)
• Conspiracy (F)

Smith is currently being held on over $1 million bail, and Flowers is on $500,000 bail. A third suspect remains at large, police say.