Briefly... CITY/REGION

Off-duty cop shoots man

An off-duty Philadelphia police officer shot and critically wounded a 30-year-old Oxford Circle man Sunday after neighbors ran to the officer for help because the man was acting "odd" and "out of control" in front of a house on Lardner Street, near Large, police said. Police Lt. Frank Vanore said Bryan Finney, who lives in the area, was pulling up a neighbor's shrubs and bushes and had begun to grab and attack the homeowner of that house sometime after 8 p.m.

Vanore said Finney began to attack the officer when he came on the scene. Vanore said that the man was reaching for his waistband and the officer then fired several shots at Finney. Vanore did not name the officer but published reports identified him as Raymond Esquilin. Finney was taken to Albert Einstein Hospital and was charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and other counts. Vanore said that the officer, assigned to the 39th District, was placed on leave pending an investigation by police Internal Affairs.

Teen shot in car in W. Phila.

A 16-year-old youth was listed in critical condition after being shot in the head and right arm early yesterday while driving a car down a West Philadelphia street. After the teen was shot, the car slammed into a parked SUV at 56th and Walnut streets, tipping that vehicle, police said.

The young man was wounded in the head and right arm. He was listed in critical condition at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Police said they know of no motive for the attack.

Residents escape Olney fire

Fire Department officials said yesterday that they do not yet have a cause of a fire at an Olney home that broke out just before midnight yesterday.

Residents of the house on Wagner Street near Tabor Road escaped, apparently without harm, said a department spokesman yesterday. The circumstances of the fire are under investigation.

Camden man killed in fight

A 28-year-old Camden man was killed in a shooting at about 12:50 a.m. Saturday in the 1500 block of Louis Street, said Acting Camden County Prosecutor Joshua M. Ottenberg and Camden Police Chief Edward Hargis.

Sherron Rolax was among a group involved in a verbal, then physical altercation. Shortly after the fight ended, an unknown participant shot Rolax, authorities said. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Investigator Eric Wren at 856-225-8400 or Camden City Police Detective Cheryl Campbell at 856-757-7420.

Good Samaritan saves 2 boaters

A good Samaritan rescued two people Sunday after the 14-foot boat they were aboard capsized five miles northwest of the Cape May Canal.

The Coast Guard received a call at 11 p.m. from a crew member aboard the Stryker reporting that they had retrieved two people from the water.

The two were transferred by the Coast Guard to awaiting emergency medical personnel to be treated for hypothermia. *

- Staff and wire reports