Postal worker shot with BB gun in Southwest Philadelphia

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police say a female postal worker was delivering mail when she was shot twice with a BB gun in Southwest Philadelphia.

The 28-year-old victim was hit in the knee and back. She left the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania on Friday evening after being treated.

Police say it was just before 3:00 p.m. Friday when the postal worker was delivering mail in the 6200 block of Christian Street.

"She's walking up towards the house, toward the door when she feels the first strike to her back and, just reactionary, she turns quickly and that's when she feels the second one. That's when she panics and yells and screams," said Lt. Johnny Walker, Philadelphia Police.

Police say the shot to the victim's back struck the strap of her leather mail bag, which prevented the BB pellet from hitting her skin.

A neighbor told investigators that three other shots hit the side of his brick row home.

Police say no mail was taken and they are unsure why the woman was shot.

"We're gonna go out there and knock on some doors and see if there's been any issues with anybody, could just be kids playing around," said Lt. Walker.

On Friday evening, another postal worker delivered the mail on the block, under the watchful eye of an armed postal police officer.

BB guns have been a major concern for residents in South and Southwest Philadelphia, particularly because they look like real weapons.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, a vocal advocate on the matter, says this incident shows that the problem has no borders.

"It's a city wide issue, it's a city wide issue that must be addressed," said Councilman Johnson.

Even more disturbing, residents say some merchants are exploiting urban neighborhoods by selling the BB guns to children under the age of 18, which is illegal in Philadelphia.

The concern is that a child may pull the toy on an officer or someone with a real gun, and someone ends up shot.

"And it just shows that separate from protecting the children, it's protecting the public, so it has become a matter of public safety," said Councilman Johnson.

Last week, Councilman Johnson introduced legislation calling for harsher penalties for stores that sell BB guns to children.

He says he'll be working with Philadelphia police, Licenses and Inspections, and the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office to begin investigating stores that sell them in his district.

Councilman Johnson is also urging fellow council members to do the same.