PHILADELPHIA, PA (Headline News USA) (Copyright © 2025) – It happened just as the school day was winding down. Overbrook High students were on their way home, some hanging around the sidewalks, others still inside for after-school programs. And then, in broad daylight, a gun went off — and a Philadelphia police officer went down.

Now, a 17-year-old boy is facing an attempted murder charge, and 30-year-old Dachan Seay is in custody as well, both arrested after a shooting that unfolded Tuesday afternoon outside the West Philly school.

According to CBS News Philadelphia, the chaos started around 3:30 p.m. when officers from the 19th District spotted what they believed to be a drug transaction near 60th and Oxford Streets. One officer — a 31-year-old with nine years on the job — moved in, and that’s when a teenage suspect bolted.

As the officer chased him, police say the teen turned and fired a single shot with a .40-caliber handgun, striking the officer in the thigh. The officer returned fire but didn’t hit anyone. A few frantic moments later, the teen was in handcuffs and the weapon had been recovered nearby.

The officer was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition. “He’s incredibly lucky,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel told 6ABC that evening. “This officer ran toward danger — and he nearly lost his life doing it.”

The 17-year-old is now facing a long list of charges: attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, firearms violations, and more. Because of his age, his name has not been released. Prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether he’ll be charged as an adult.

But the teen wasn’t the only one arrested at the scene.

Police also took Dachan Seay, 30, into custody. Seay is facing charges including aggravated assault on law enforcement, illegal gun possession, reckless endangerment, and related offenses. According to authorities, he was involved in the confrontation and allegedly fired his weapon during the altercation — though police have not yet said who fired the shot that struck the officer. The investigation is ongoing.

As NBC10 Philadelphia reported, Seay’s alleged involvement added a second layer of danger to an already chaotic scene. Investigators say there was an active struggle outside the school involving multiple individuals just before the shooting occurred.

Back at Overbrook High, panic spread quickly. The school was briefly placed on lockdown, though no students or staff were physically harmed. Parents who arrived minutes later described a flurry of flashing lights, helicopters overhead, and unanswered questions.

“My son texted me and said there was a cop shot outside,” said one mother who rushed to the school. “That’s every parent’s nightmare. It’s the middle of the afternoon, and bullets are flying outside a school.”

Commissioner Bethel credited the injured officer’s quick response — and his bulletproof vest — for preventing a far worse outcome.

Mayor Cherelle Parker, in a statement late Tuesday, called the shooting “a grim reminder of what our officers face every day.” She praised the officer’s bravery and promised the city would stand behind him and his family as he recovers.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 called for stronger enforcement around illegal gun possession and youth offenders, stating, “This officer nearly lost his life — we cannot treat these crimes like routine events.”

As of Wednesday morning, the officer remained hospitalized, awake, and surrounded by loved ones. Police say more details — including ballistic test results and body-worn camera footage — are still being reviewed as the investigation continues.

For now, one fact remains: an officer is lucky to be alive, a teenager faces life-altering charges, and another neighborhood in Philadelphia is left shaken.

Photo credit: Philadelphia Police Department