Philadelphia, PA – Tragedy struck the Kingsessing section of Southwest Philadelphia on Saturday night, as a teenager lost his life in a quadruple shooting, according to authorities.
Law enforcement received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting incident on the 1000 block of South 51st Street just after 6:30 p.m. The shooting took place at a gathering celebrating a graduation, where a group of males allegedly opened fire towards the home.
Philadelphia Police Inspector D F Pace revealed that among the victims, three were teenagers and one was in his early twenties. An 18-year-old victim was fatally shot in the face and succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital shortly before 7 p.m.
Another victim, a 17-year-old, sustained gunshot wounds throughout his body and is currently in critical condition after being transferred to a children’s hospital. The third victim, a 16-year-old boy, was shot twice in his left forearm and is now in stable condition at a nearby hospital. Additionally, a victim in his early twenties was shot in the left leg and remains in stable condition after being treated at a nearby hospital.
The scene of the shooting was scattered with 27 spent shell casings, with the majority found on the west side of the street. Authorities noted that homes and parked cars on both sides of the street were also hit by gunfire.
As the investigation continues, it is unclear if any of the victims were directly involved in the shooting. The police have taken control of the area while they work to gather more information. Amidst the ongoing investigation, one weapon has been recovered.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of gun violence plaguing communities, prompting concern and calls for action to address the root causes of such senseless acts. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation to bring those responsible to justice.