Police said that an officer was one of the many people who opened fire on Philadelphia’s South Street entertainment district. Three people were killed and twelve others were hurt in the shooting.
The Philadelphia Police Department released a statement Sunday afternoon stating that it was not clear if the gunman who was being targeted was actually struck or if anyone else was. The target fled the scene without ever having been identified.
Police stated that at least five people were believed to have opened fire during an attack that was triggered by a street brawl. They said that two guns were found, but that no suspects were taken into custody.
One of the two nearby shooting officers, who was responding to gunfire from the crowd, saw at least one gunman shoot into the crowd at South Street’s intersection and South American Street at 11 :31 on Saturday, according to the department.
This was the second consecutive weekend with multiple mass shootings in America. Three people were killed in chaos and gunfire early Sunday morning in Chattanooga (Tennessee), killing them along with 14 others.
The police have increased the number of people injured in Philadelphia from 13 on Sunday morning to 11 at night to 12. By Sunday afternoon, it was down to 12. According to a Sunday afternoon statement, the 23-year old man who was shot multiple times and is in critical condition was the worst among the injured.
At a news conference on Sunday, Danielle Outlaw, the Police Commissioner, stated that an internal investigation was underway into the officer’s use and abuse of his service weapon.
According to the department, the unidentified officer was a sworn employee who has more than three years of experience and was put on administrative duty.
Outlaw stated that the incident started when gunfire erupted on the 400 block South Street, one of the city’s nightlife districts. There were hundreds of people there.
Outlaw stated that “Yesterday was an awful day for Philadelphia.” This incident has left us devastated and devastated. We mourn the loss of life and the many lives that were affected by this tragedy.
Outlaw stated that the age of the wounded was between 17 and 69. She said that many of them were innocent bystanders.
Police identified the two victims as Gregory Jackson (34 years old) and Alexis Quinn (27 years).
Kristopher Minners, Girard College’s local boarding school serving first through 12th grades where he was a residential advisor, was the third victim.
Innocent bystander Kris was just turning 22 and was celebrating with his family and friends,” Girard College Interim president James D. Turner stated in a Sunday statement. He attended Girard College from 9th grade to 2nd grade, and has been working in the residential program as an advisor for 6th and second grade boys since January 2022.
“Our hearts are broken for Kristopher’s family and we are thinking of everyone who was affected by this terrible act of violence. He said that he had spoken to Kris’ parents and that the College would continue to support them.
Outlaw suggested that the shooting might have been the result of a fight between two men, one of whom was killed in the incident, and the other was injured.
A responding officer saw a gunman fire into the crowd just a half block from the area where several victims were killed, after the gunfire broke out, she stated.
Outlaw stated that the officer pulled his gun and fired multiple shots in the direction of the unidentified male.
Initially, she stated that police believed the gunman had been hit. But police later clarified that this was not true.
The department stated that an unknown male ran southbound on 600 American Street after he dropped his gun on the sidewalk. The male was found in the vicinity.
Outlaw appealed to witnesses to come forward and share their experiences with investigators. Outlaw stated that a $20,000 reward was offered to anyone who leads to an arrest.
She stated, “It is important that we bring justice for the victims and their families as well as our community.”
D.F. Philadelphia Police Inspector At a separate press briefing, Pace stated that investigators had recovered two semi-automatic handguns on the scene. “One with an extended magazine.”
He said that multiple casings were found in the area.
