Three people were killed and 11 others were injured when a shooting occurred in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, police said.
Shortly before midnight, officers patrolling a popular nightlife area in the city center “observed several active gunmen firing at the crowd,” Philadelphia Police Department Inspector DF Pace said Sunday in a statement. press conference.
See more information on the deadly weekend in the US in the video player above
Watch the latest news on Channel 7 or play it for free on 7plus >>
Pace said one of the officers fired at one of the shooters, but it was unclear if they were hit.
“But the officer managed to get this individual to drop his weapon and flee at that moment,” he added.
Authorities had initially said 13 people were injured, but that figure was revised to 11, and the injured ranged in age from 17 to 69.
“Three of these individuals, two men and a woman, were pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds to the body,” he said.
The dead, who were not identified by name, were two men aged 34 and 22 and a woman aged 27.
The suspect who shot at the crowd evaded capture during the chaotic scene in which several “innocent bystanders” were injured. Credit: Citizen
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said during a press conference that the on-call shooting was being investigated internally and that the suspect who shot at the crowd dodged the capture during the chaotic scene in which several “innocent spectators” were injured.
The incident began around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when gunfire was fired on 400 South Street Island in the city’s nightlife district, where hundreds of people gathered, Outlaw said.
“Yesterday was a dark day for Philadelphia,” he added.
“We are absolutely devastated, devastated by this incident. And we mourn the lives lost and the dozens and dozens of lives affected by this tragedy.”
Pace said investigators had recovered two semi-automatic pistols from the scene “one with an extended magazine.”
He added that “multiple carcasses had been found all over the area”.
Officials said at least five guns were fired.
“We hope to be able to collect a lot of video surveillance footage,” Pace said, adding that there were many companies in the area.
“We hope to get a lot more information about the identity of the people responsible for the shootings,” he added.
A bullet casing is seen at the scene of the crime after at least three people were killed and 11 were injured in the shooting in the busy South Street area of Philadelphia on June 5. Credit: Anadolu Agency / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The shooting may have been caused by a physical fight between two men, one of whom died in the shooting and the other was injured, Outlaw said.
After the shooting broke out, a responding officer saw a gunman shooting at the crowd on a half-island where several victims were beaten, he said.
“The officer pulled out his gun and fired several times in the direction of the unknown man, we believe he hit him,” Outlaw said.
Outlaw asked witnesses to testify and tell investigators what they saw and heard.
A $ 20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest, Outlaw said.
“It is important that we bring justice to the victims, their families and our community,” he said.
An American teenager takes advantage of the historic moment of the French Open with an emotional plea on live television
Craig survived the 1999 Columbine massacre. Now his children must fear the next
“It’s time for real action”
South Street is “known for being an entertainment corridor” with several bars and restaurants, Pace said.
“There were hundreds of people enjoying South Street, as they do every weekend, when this shooting broke out.”
The reasons for the shootings are still unclear.
There have been at least 239 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Armed Violence Archive. CNN and the archive define a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said he was fed up with senseless gun violence and called for tougher laws to prevent violent people from carrying weapons.
Violence in Philadelphia marked the sixth mass shooting in the United States this weekend, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.
“The increase in armed violence we’ve seen across the country, and here in Philadelphia, makes me not only heartbroken, but also angry,” he said.
“Once again, we see lost senseless lives and wounded in another horrific, brazen and despicable act of armed violence.
“We cannot accept continued violence as a way of life in our country. Until we address the availability and ease of access to firearms, we will always be fighting in a difficult battle.
“I will continue to fight to protect our communities and urge others to stand by stronger laws that keep guns out of the hands of violent individuals.”
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner called for a boycott of donations and pressure groups from the National Rifle Association.
After last night’s “terrible crimes on South Street told our Pennsylvania lawmakers it’s time for real action,” Krasner tweeted Sunday.
“Boycott NRA lobbyists, boycott NRA donations, and bring real regulation of common sense weapons to Pennsylvania. Now.”