Philadelphia police: Officer wounded, but avoids serious injury by pushing gun away

Philadelphia officer wounded in shooting

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police say an officer escaped serious injury by pushing a gun away when a man pointed it at his head.

Police say 46-year-old Sgt. Robert Ralston was shot around 4 a.m. Monday when he approached two men in West Philadelphia. Investigators say one of the men aimed a gun at the officer’s head, but Ralston was able to disrupt the shooter’s aim by pushing the weapon away.

Police say the men fled along a set of railroad tracks. One of the suspects may have been injured when Ralston returned fire.

Ralston was treated at a hospital and released a couple hours later with a minor wound to his left shoulder.

Police are searching for the two men.