Gunman wounds six cops in US

Washington: A gunman who wounded six police officers in a shooting incident that triggered a tense, hours-long standoff in the US state of Philadelphia has been taken into custody, police said on Thursday.

The shooting started at 4.30 pm (local time) in the city's Nicetown neighbourhood on Wednesday and was followed by a standoff that lasted nearly eight hours.

"Suspect is in custody. SWAT is still clearing the house," Philadelphia Police Sergeant Eric Gripp tweeted early on Thursday.

The gunman opened fire on police as they were serving a drug warrant in the neighbourhood.

Two officers and three others who had been trapped inside the row house were evacuated by a SWAT team a few hours before the standoff ended, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross Jr told reporters.

"They were able to use stealth to do it," he said, adding he didn't think the shooter was aware of the rescue mission.

Ross told reporters that he personally tried to talk to the shooter, but he did not respond verbally.

The city's Police Commissioner identified the suspect as Maurice Hill, who has an extensive criminal history.