By Krista Hutz
The Philadelphia Daily News
PHILADELPHIA — A University of Pennsylvania police officer shot and killed a 23-year-old man yesterday morning after the man allegedly opened fire inside a West Philadelphia strip joint, critically wounding a DJ and then threatening police.
Larry Sanders, of 54th Street near Pennsgrove, allegedly shot a 31-year old disc jockey who intervened in a fight involving Sanders and at least four others inside Club Wizzards, on Chestnut Street near 38th, police said.
About 12:10 a.m., several people alerted two Penn police officers on routine patrol of the incident unfolding inside, said Maureen Rush, vice president of public safety at the University of Pennsylvania.
The officers heard gunshots and saw the victim fall to the floor as they entered Wizzards, Rush said.
Afterward, she said, Sanders turned his weapon toward the officers as he fled the club.
The officers said, “ ‘Police! Drop your gun!’ several times and the individual continued to aim at the police,” Rush said.
One officer fired twice, hitting Sanders in the chest and right thigh, she said.
Sanders was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured.
The Wizzards employee was listed in critical condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after surgery.
The city Department of Licenses and Inspections closed the club yesterday morning, citing “electrical, fire and license” violations, according to a sign on the door. The club will remain closed pending a hearing.
A Club Wizzards representative declined to comment.
Yesterday’s shooting wasn’t the first this year for Penn police.
In April, a Penn police officer fatally shot an alleged carjacker after a struggle for the officer’s gun.
Another shooting involving city police occurred in the same area in October, outside the Koko Bongo nightclub, on 38th Street near Ludlow, around the corner from Club Wizzards. In that shooting, a suspect was shot and an officer and bystander were injured.
Emma Aing, part owner of Koreana Restaurant, in the same complex as Koko Bongo and Club Wizzards, is concerned about safety in the area.
However, Aing said the building’s owner, indicated in records as Theodore Pagano, of Sewell, N.J., recently installed more video-surveillance cameras.
But Aing said police could provide more security for those who walk in the area.
Copyright 2007 The Philadelphia Daily News