Five police officers shot in Philadelphia, gunman on the loose

At least five police officers have been shot in Philadelphia, with at least one gunman still on the loose.

A gunman is on the loose in Philadelphia.

At least five police officers have been shot in Philadelphia, in an “active andon-going” situation with at least one gunman still on the loose.

US media reports the suspect has barricaded himself into a home along with several police officers who tried to take him into custody.

The shooting shut down the city’s suburb of Nicetown after it began at around 4.30pm (6.30am AEST).

The gunman continued to shoot as dozes of officers flooded the area, blocking off streets and surrounding nearby homes.

One officer was shot in the head and anothe rin the arm, Fox 20 reports.

“Officer calls for everything you got. SWAT, long gun,” a law enforcement officer can be heard saying on the audio. “I got an officer shot,” NBC reports.

Witness says she heard more than 100 gunshots as at least one suspect fired at officers in shooting incident in Philadelphia; multiple police officers have been injured, police say. https://t.co/GgihNme8ar pic.twitter.com/K84ti0JULA

— ABC News (@ABC) August 14, 2019

US media reported four officers were shot and taken to hospital.

Live video showed a massive police presence in a neighbourhood with dozens of police cars and officers, many of them with their guns drawn.

Six @PhillyPolice officers shot and gunfire continuing, reports @CBSPhilly. pic.twitter.com/uEEmoOTIBb

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 14, 2019

One officer appeared injured and was taken away in a police car. Video also showed two other officers carrying a man and putting them in the back of a police car.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said numerous agents were responding to the scene to assist Philadelphia police.

More to come