The incident exploded Saturday night at George’s Famous Pizzeria in what most likely was a normal busy evening. The tranquility of the setting changed quickly, however, when two alleged robbers came through the front door “wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks.”
One of the suspects allegedly fired a round as he attempted to get behind the store’s counter.
That’s when a pizzeria employee, reportedly the owner’s son, produced his own weapon and fired multiple shots at the suspect. He was struck several times in the head and upper body.
Approximately 30 minutes after the two perpetrators entered the restaurant, the one who fired the shot was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not been identified.
The second suspect fled on foot and at last report is still at large. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage to identify and locate the suspect who ran from the restaurant. Police said there were no other injuries and nothing was taken from the pizzeria.
A neighborhood resident, Bill Hackett, told 6 ABC that he was at the location. “What I saw was a guy lying on the ground. Blood. The owner’s son said he had to shoot him because the guy was shooting at him. Said he had to shoot back in self-defense.”
Philadelphia is a dangerous city despite an easing of violent crime incidents in recent months. There are far too many scenarios in which criminals prey on the unarmed and unprepared, often with deadly results.
Saturday’s pizzeria shooting should serve as a warning to those who value theft over human life. Businesses all over are prepared to defend themselves and their customers against attacks, and carrying firearms is the first line of defense.
