PHILADELPHIA (July 28, 2025)—Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel on Monday announced the arrest and charging of two suspects for opening fire on Philadelphia police officers and for narcotics offenses.
Nathaniel Smith (DOB 9/7/94) is charged with the following:
- Three counts of Assault of Law Enforcement Officer (F1)
- Three counts of Aggravated Assault (F1)
- Three counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP)
- Three counts of Simple Assault (M2)
- One count of VUFA 6106 (F3) and VUFA 6108 (M1)
- Possession with Intent to Distribute (PWID) (F)
- Conspiracy (F)
Khalil Flowers (DOB 4/9/90) is charged with the following:
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP)
- Possession with Intent to Distribute (F)
- Conspiracy (F)
On the evening of July 25, Philadelphia police officers in an unmarked vehicle observed the defendants’ vehicle driving erratically, including moving the wrong way up a one-way street and driving through a stop sign, near the 5400 block of Morse Street. The vehicle suddenly accelerated away at a high rate of speed as Smith, in the passenger seat, produced a firearm and opened fire on the officers as they pursued the defendants. A few minutes later, the defendants’ vehicle was forced to stop, but Smith and Flowers fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit by officers, Smith and Flowers were apprehended and taken into custody.
Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. They recovered a significant quantity of packaged narcotics, including crack cocaine and marijiuana, a 9mm firearm, and fired cartridge casings (FCCs) connected to the shooting. Smith is currently being held on over $1 million bail and Flowers on $500,000 bail. A third suspect remains at large.
Smith and Flowers have a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 13, 2025. This is an ongoing investigation.
CONTACT:
Dustin Slaughter, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.