Police were first alerted to a building where it was said to be drug stores, said a police officer in the city of CBS Philly, at 4.30 pm local time. When several police officers were shot, colleagues from all over the city flocked to the site in northern Philadelphia, where a massive police operation lasted two hours.

The police special forces, Swat, as well as many ordinary police officers, are in place. CNN reports that helicopter images show at least 50 police vehicles at the scene. Television pictures show armored vehicles and police with reinforcements.

Six police officers shot

At least six police officers have been shot in the operation, police confirm via Twitter, and people are urged to stay away from the scene where at least one perpetrator is still feared to fire shots.

Several police officers will remain in a house where one or more shooters are to be located, Fox Philadelphia says. The police have been heard trying to communicate with the guilty party (s) via megaphone.

"The suspect is still shooting. Stay away from the area, ”writes Eric Gripp at the police's communications department on Twitter. He has via Twitter urged the news companies' helicopters to withdraw from the area and says they are interfering with police efforts.

According to several media, an offender is reported to have broadcast the live events on Facebook, but the broadcast must have been terminated or canceled.

"Seek protection"

Another police officer must have been injured in connection with the operation, probably in some form of traffic accident. None of the injured police officers have sustained any life-threatening injuries. A police officer must have met in the head, but according to The Philadelphia Inquirer, he or she should have been talkable.

Temple University in the city writes on Twitter that shots were fired at the campus, where parts of the health research center were shut down.

“Seek protection, secure doors. Be quiet. Be still, "the university writes, and later urge you to stay away from the windows.

Several bus lines take other routes, and trains do not stop at several stations nearby.