Norristown Man Arrested in Friday Morning Shooting Incident

An argument between two men turned violent on Friday morning when one man tried to run down the other with his car and the victim fired shots at his assailant's vehicle.

According to reports from the Norristown Police Department, officers responded to the 300 block of East Basin Street at approximately 9:47 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30 for a report of a pedestrian struck and shots fired in that area.

Police arrived and found the victim who reported that he had been inside his home when he heard a car horn followed by banging on his front door. The victim told police he answered the door and found 31-year-old Rasheem Cooper, of the 500 block of Middletown Place, standing outside. The victim stated that the two men began to argue and during the argument, Cooper allegedly threatened to kill him.

The victim told police that Cooper got back into his vehicle, a white Acura MDX SUV which was parked on the sidewalk in front of his home, pulled forward and then put the car in reverse and sped backwards, allegedly striking the victim.

The victim told police that after he was hit, he fired 5 shots at the vehicle and Copper then sped off. The victim told police he retreated to his home to reload the weapon, believing that Cooper would return.

The victim was transported by Plymouth Ambulance to Einstein Medical Center Montgomery for treatment of his injuries. Police reportedly recovered the gun, a Taurus .38 Special revolver loaded with 5 rounds, and placed it into evidence. The gun was reportedly registered to a friend of the victim, who arrived on the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Police also interviewed several witnesses at the scene who corroborated the victim's version of events.

Meanwhile, officers were interviewing Cooper in the parking lot of the police station, where Cooper had fled to report the shooting. Cooper's vehicle reportedly had several bullet holes in the windshield and body and a shattered driver's side window.

Cooper reportedly told police that he had been driving south on Arch Street when he saw the victim standing on the corner of Basin Street. Cooper told police that as he approached, the victim opened fire at him and he sped off.

Officers responded to Basin and Arch streets and searched the area, but could find no broken glass in the area where Cooper claimed the shots were fired at him. Police did observe broken glass near the home of the victim and witnesses reportedly told police that they observed Cooper's vehicle speed through the intersection of East Basin and Arch streets heading West.

Given witness reports and the inconsistencies in Cooper's version of events, Cooper was taken into custody and charged with simple assault, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a weapon, reckless endangerment of another person and terroristic threats.

Police say charges are pending against the victim, who is not permitted to carry a firearm due to a prior drug-related conviction.