A “suspicious package” report near 46th Street and Larchwood Avenue wreaked some havoc in the area on Friday. As many neighbors in the area witnessed, the discovery prompted heavy police and firefighters presence, blocked streets and even a helicopter circling in the area. “There was quite a show of force between the cops and firefighters to address it – whatever it was,” one neighbor tweeted.

According to Joe Murray of the Southwest Detectives, the cause was a “remote control that someone thought could be a bomb.”

The suspicious package was discovered Friday morning, around 10:20 a.m. After checking on it, the police gave an “all-clear” about 20 minutes later.

Update (3:36 p.m.): Police have identified the victim as 20-year-old Philippe Holland from Upper Darby. The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Holland works for Slices and More in Upper Darby. A police report that we received on Wednesday afternoon stated that when ordered to stop, Holland fled to his gold Ford Taurus on Willows, backed out the parking spot and drove “forward toward the officers.” Two officers fired several shots each, striking both Holland and the vehicle. Holland, who was delivering a pizza to a home nearby, was shot in the leg, neck and head. He remains in critical condition at HUP.

A top Philadelphia Police official told reporters on Wednesday that the man plain-clothes police shot last night near 51st and Willows may have been a pizza delivery driver who tried to flee in his vehicle because he thought he was being robbed.

The shooting took place at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday night when police responded to gunshots near 51st and Baltimore. Neighbors reported hearing a couple of shots fired in the area and after a couple of minutes more shots.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Ross told reporters that the man was walking down the sidewalk when police approached him and identified themselves. Ross said the man apparently misunderstood the officers and fled to his car and drove at a high rate of speed toward the officers.

“The officers then discharged out of fear for their lives,” Ross said.

The man was struck three times, according to police. He is expected to survive.

Ross said the man was unarmed. No police officers were injured in the incident.

An investigation into the shooting is underway.

We have received a few reports of a shooting near 51st and Willows. Three helicopters were circling the area until about 10:30 p.m.

Police opened fire and shot a suspect around 9:50 p.m., according to CBS Philly. A reader said he heard a shot or two and then more shots a couple of minutes later.

NBC is reporting that police responded to reports of shots fired near 51st and Willows and confronted a suspect. A police officer shot the suspect, an unidentified male, who was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

#breaking Phila Police have large scene taped off near 51st and Baltimore in W Phila. Officer-involved shooting pic.twitter.com/EusU25OpHX

— Kenneth Moton (@KennethMoton) April 23, 2014

Map courtesy of UCD (click to enlarge).

Unfortunately, the number of burglaries in the University City area continues to grow, according to the latest monthly crime update distributed by University City District. Over 30 burglaries were committed in March, which is twice as many as in February and, by far, the largest number of burglaries in the past year. UCD is asking residents to be vigilant and use extra caution (for tips on how to prevent a burglary at your residence, click here).

A number of these burglary incidents seem to have been related to a recent arrest, according to UCD. We’re trying to get more information about that.

Overall, 64 serious crimes were committed within the University City District boundaries last month (see map).

As burglaries remain a concern in the area, the 18th District Police Department is inviting residents to a crime prevention event this Friday (April 18), where the discussion will focus specifically on burglaries. The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Rite Aid parking lot located at 57th and Chestnut Streets.

The event will also spread awareness and encourage participation in the following programs designed to combat property-related crimes: Operation I.D., B.O.N.D. (Business Owner Notification Decal), S.A.V.E. (Stolen Auto Verification Effort), and VIN Etching (Vehicle Identification Number Engraving). If you are unable to attend tomorrow’s event, please contact cleanandsafe@universitycity.org for additional information on these programs. Some more details are also available here.

There’s also a monthly community meeting with police tonight, at 6 pm at Calvary Center (48th & Baltimore). As usual, Lt. Brian McBride and Sgt. Ron Washington of the University City Division of the 18th Police District will hear your concerns and discuss current crime and neighborhood issues. Such meetings happen every third Thursday of the month and all community members are welcome.

Update: The victim of Tuesday morning shooting at the Copabanana was 31-year-old Timothy Cary of the 5100 block of Locust Street. Cary died at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

A man who police say lives near 52nd and Irving has been charged with murder for the early Tuesday morning shooting outside the Copabanana bar and restaurant at 40th and Spruce.

Corey Gaynor, 26, was arraigned yesterday afternoon on one count of murder and related weapons charges. Witnesses have identified Gaynor as the man who allegedly fired as many as 10 shots from point blank range at 31-year-old Timothy Cary after an argument inside the Copabanana that spilled outside onto the sidewalk. Penn police apprehended Gaynor near 40th and Pine a few minutes after the shooting.

Gaynor has been arrested before. In 2008 he served a prison term for carrying firearms in public. He has also been charged with drug and theft charges that were dismissed. The court documents showing the charges against Gaynor and past charges against him are here.

A 31-year-old man was shot and killed outside the Copabanana bar and restaurant at 40th and Spruce early Tuesday morning, according to police.

Police at the scene said that the shooter, who is in custody, fired at least 10 shots from a “large caliber semi-automatic handgun” to the victim’s torso and chest at about 1:30 a.m. Police said the shell casings from the weapon were found within inches of the victim’s body, indicating that he was shot at very close range.

The alleged shooter, a 26-year-old man from Southwest Philadelphia, was quickly apprehended by Penn police near 40th and Pine. Police found a weapon they believe is connected to the shooting near 40th and Pine. Police at the scene said several witnesses positively identified the 26-year-old as the shooter.

The victim was from 52nd and Locust, according to police.

Police say the shooting followed an argument that began inside the restaurant and moved outside onto the sidewalk. About 25 people were in the bar at the time of the shooting. No one else was injured.

Penn’s student paper The Daily Pennsylvanian has extensive coverage of the shooting here and GunCrisis.org was quickly on the scene with complete coverage here.