Police in Philadelphia killed a man last night in a frenzied shoot-out just minutes after he pulled a shotgun on his ex-wife and murdered her while she sat in a car with the couple's teenage daughter.
At around 5.30pm on Thursday, Kenneth Phillip, 50, followed his ex-wife as she drove with her daughter to a dress alteration shop in Bustleton Pike, Lower Southampton and stopped behind them as they parked.
Firing three shots through the window of the Nissan Ultima, Phillip killed his former spouse and left his 16-year-old daughter with injuries from the shattered glass before speeding away from the scene.
Lower Southampton Township Chief William Wiegman confirmed later: 'The mother was deceased at the scene. The daughter was taken to St. Mary's hospital.'
Shortly after, at around 6pm, a local Northampton police officer spotted Phillip's car but before he had a chance to call for back up was targeted by the enraged gun man who emerged from his vehicle shooting.
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Though the officer was struck in the chest, thanks to a bullet proof vest he was able to return fire and stop Phillip in his tracks.
Witness, Jon Millar told CBS Local: 'I heard the cop yelling. There were about three people under their trucks, lying under their cars in the parking lot. They didn't know what was going on. There were people freaking out and crying.'
The scene: Phillip fired three shots at his ex-wife after she pulled up in a Nissan Ultima at a dress alteration shop with her 16-year-old daughter
Evidence: A law enforcement official measures the distance between the three discarded shells to determine how many shots were fired into the car
Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler explained that Phillip had been released from jail in February for assaulting his ex-wife with a knife.
Following the charge Phillip served time and was also issued a protection-from-abuse order instructing him to stay away from his ex-wife.
'Certainly I believe, she was involved in the case for which he spent time in jail,' confirmed Mr Heckler, explaining Phillip's likely motive for murder.
Downtown: Phillip followed the two women into Bustleton Pike and opened fire outside the dress makers. He had been released from jail in February for assaulting his wife with a knife
Round two: Half an hour after Phillip sped away from the scene of his crime, he became embroiled in a gunfight with local policemen who spotted the suspicious vehicle and pulled him over
The end: Phillip emerged from his car before police could call for back and began shooting but was struck down and killed in return fire
An employee at an establishment right next door to where the culprit shot his wife was in shock as she told NBC 10: 'It's a little scary, you don't expect something like that to happen.'
'It's very unfortunate that someone doesn't have respect for someone else's life,' she added.
The couple's daughter is expected to make a full recovery.