'Wild shoot-out' on the streets

Police arrest Thomas Jones in Philadelphia

The arrest of a police suspect who was beaten and kicked during his arrest by nearly 20 police officers happened after a "wild shoot-out on the streets of North Philadelphia", according to ABC News.

It quoted Philadelphia's mayor, John Street, saying: "Clearly, the activity on the tape is troubling. We have unanswered concerns."

The case of Thomas Jones has also sparked parallels with the case of Rodney King.

What you see is Rodney King in two different colours

Peaches Wright

The beating of black motorist King by white Los Angeles officers in 1991 was also caught on videotape and broadcast worldwide.

Police say comparisons are "outrageous", but the Philadelphia Daily News quotes Peaches Wright, mother of Jones' fiancée Victoria, saying: "What you see is Rodney King in two different colours."

Wednesday's incident, Wright said, had both white and black officers beating the suspect.

But Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney said it was premature to accuse police of brutality.

He told ABC's Good Morning America that the two incidents were different.

Jones, 30, is accused of leading police on a chase in a stolen patrol car after firing at them and wounding one with an officer's gun.

"For people to start making comparisons to Rodney King, I just think is outrageous," he said. "He is resisting throughout.

"Now, does that justify the force? We won't know until we interview the officers."

When you shoot one of us, you shoot all of us

Richard Costello, police lodge president

One officer, Michael Livewell, 24, was shot and wounded during the incident and the Philadelphia Inquirer quotes Richard Costello, president of the Fraternal Order of Police.

He says: "It is very, very clear that it is increasingly more dangerous to be a police officer in Philadelphia."

He added: "When you shoot one of us, you shoot all of us."