A hit-and-run suspect was injured in an officer-involved shooting at the King of Prussia Mall during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Police confirmed that the armed suspect was a Philadelphia resident. Located about 30 minutes from Center City, Philadelphia, the King of Prussia Mall is the nation’s third largest shopping mall.
On Sunday evening, an Upper Merion Police officer shot an armed hit-and-run suspect during a chase near the mall. 27-year-old Andrew Wiley, a Philadelphia resident, was shot in the leg after firing at pursuing officers and now faces a litany of felonies.
No additional injuries to police or bystanders were reported.
Wiley was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault, Firearm Not to be Carried Without a License, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and other related charges, 6 ABC reported.
Wiley told police that he had purchased a “ghost gun” off the streets for $600 prior to the incident, skirting Philadelphia’s strict gun laws.
2/2 Wiley told police he bought a ghost gun “on the streets of Philadelphia for $600” that he fired at @UpperMerionPD officer with Sunday. He said he panicked after prior parking lot crash because he didn’t have car insurance. Details in Probable Cause Affadavit. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/C3ydZ9vgN7
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) December 19, 2022
According to investigators, the incident started with a hit-and-run in the King of Prussia Mall area shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 18. A bike officer responded to the scene and identified Wiley’s vehicle as a red Nissan Juke.
“He noticed the suspect was now hiding in the backseat. Before he could take him into custody, the suspect was able to jump in the front (seat),” Upper Merion Township Police Chief Thomas Nolan said.
Wiley then attempted to leave the area, but ultimately became stuck in heavy traffic. An officer eventually pulled up behind him with lights activated, at which point Wiley jumped a curb and breaking down in the parking lot of the Seasons 52 restaurant outside the mall.
“As he is approaching on foot, the suspect gets out holding a black handgun. He doesn’t comply with the officer’s orders to drop the weapon and starts firing the weapon at the officer,” Nolan said.
At that point, the officer returned fire, hitting Wiley twice in the legs. He was then apprehended and transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“You have the largest shopping mall by retail space in the country on the Sunday before Christmas. It could have been very, very different. The actions of the officers, in this case, were heroic,” Nolan told reporters.
