Philadelphia City Councilman stabbed in robbery attempt
By Alex Lloyd Gross
Philadelphia Police are searching for the man who stabbed Philadelphia Councilman -At Large David Oh, during a robbery attempt last night, May 31, 2017. Oh is going to be okay, he was alert and talking with investigators minutes after the incident. According to cops, Oh was removing bags from the trunk of his car, which was parked in front of his house on the 5800 block of Thomas Street.
According to Oh, a man approached him and started asking questions, then demanded the keys to his vehicle. Within seconds, he pulled a knife and stabbed the councilman in the back and fled on foot. No one else was hurt, police said. Cops said that the would be thief probably did not know that the man he was robbing was a councilman. Oh was transported and admitted to Presbyterian Hospital, where he was visited by multiple Philadelphia politicians and city officials who wished him well.
Currently, Oh is listed in critical but stable condition following his surgery . Oh told the cops that the man was hard to understand. It could be quite possible that he was under the influence of something at the time of the incident. Mayor James Kenney, who is in Iceland issued the following statement: “We are all praying for Councilman Oh’s quick recovery and thinking of his family during this incredibly difficult time. Whenever violence happens on our streets it is a terrible tragedy. When it happens near our homes, where we are supposed to feel safe, it is all the more devastating. Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call 911.”
Cops will leave no stone unturned while investigating this. They are looking for security cameras in the neighborhood that might have captured the attacker. Oh’s office issued this statement: Councilman Oh is in recovery after a successful surgery overnight. He will remain at the hospital to monitor his recovery but (is) expected to fully heal and return home soon. The Councilman thanks the medical staff, his Council and City colleagues, and the community for their prayers and support, and he looks forward to getting back to City Hall to serve Philadelphia. Additionally, anyone with information about this crime is urged to call 911.