PHILADELPHIA — A man intentionally drove his SUV into the Philadelphia Police Department’s 2nd Precinct headquarters Tuesday afternoon, according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
The accident occurred around 1:40 p.m
“It is clearly a completely intentional act,” Bethel said during a news conference.
Commissioner provides update on collision at 2nd District Police Building on April 21, 2026.
Five people who were inside the lobby waiting for police help when the car crashed into the building were injured, police said. None of the victims suffered serious injuries.
According to Bethel, officers responded earlier in the day, around 11:45 a.m., to a disturbance involving the suspect and his father.
Later, police say the suspect was seen driving south before making a sharp right turn and crashing into the district headquarters.
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Video obtained by ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI shows the driver pulling into the police station after people were standing nearby.
One of the witnesses said that the driver tried to flee the scene of the accident, but he was confronted and arrested.
Image: A still frame from video showing the aftermath of a driver crashing into a Philadelphia police station on April 21, 2026.
A WPVI helicopter was overhead as crews worked to assess the situation.
Later, crews went up to the damaged building and reopened the road. Despite the damage, Bethel said the district continues to serve the community.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene.
Clarence Armstrong Jr. said he was in the bathroom when the SUV crashed into the building.
“I feel very lucky,” he said. “I hear the loudest bang. The crash is one of the most horrific sounds I think I’ve ever heard in my life. Metal and glass everywhere, and there’s still some moaning and screaming from people.”
Helicopter 6 was on the scene after a vehicle crashed into the Philadelphia Police Department’s 2nd Precinct building in Rowanhurst.
Another witness, Tiffany Elconich, said she saw officers detain the suspect.
“They threw him to the ground, handcuffed him and took him,” she said. “I was afraid.”
Police said the bomb squad searched the car before towing it for further investigation. Officers executed search warrants after the incident and are working with the FBI, Bethell said.
Armstrong said the incident left him in shock.
“For someone to walk into a police station without any consideration of who might be there, children, men, women or police officers, is very sad, and these people really need some kind of help.”
Businesses along the street closed early Tuesday but are expected to reopen Wednesday.
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