A FedEx delivery driver in Philadelphia shot and killed a man who attempted to rob him, according to local police.
“Based on the preliminary story that was relayed, it appears to be self-defense: he was shot first, he fired back,” acting Philadelphia Police Department Commissioner Christine Coulter told NBC10.
As the driver was making a delivery around 7 p.m. on Tuesday night, he was approached by a man who stole items from his truck and shot him in the abdomen, police said. The driver, who was also armed, shot back and injured the suspect, who fled the scene.
Police later located the suspect, a 27-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds in a nearby alley along with several of the stolen items. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officers said they have not determined if the driver had a legal permit to carry the weapon he used to defend himself. A spokesman for FedEx declined to clarify if company policy allows employees to carry weapons while they work.
“The safety of our team members and service providers is a top priority and we are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities at this time,” a FedEx representative said.
