A series of shootings that began with an apparently unprovoked attack on a Philadelphia policewoman left two people dead and five injured, police said Saturday. The suspected gunman was among the dead. The attack came in a year marked by attacks on police in racially charged incidents that followed complaints of police abuse. The shooter's motives were not entirely clear, and police have not mentioned the race of anyone involved.
Media reports however said that the shooter left a note expressing hatred for police. "I don't know what his ideology is or thinking," Police Commissioner Richard Ross told reporters. "It's just a hatred of police officers." Police said that a man, not yet publicly identified, approached a marked police car late Friday and, without speaking, fired up to 15 shots at Sergeant Sylvia Young, a 19-year veteran of the Philadelphia force.