It happened just before 7 p.m. near the Shepard Recreation Center at 57th Street and Haverford Avenue.
"We were just sitting there laughing and talking and after that, we heard two gunshots," said a teen who did not want to be identified. "We thought it was fireworks at first, so we didn't run, but after that the automatic gun started going off, we all started running."
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Police say at least two men opened fire from a white Dodge Durango. A total of 96 gunshots were fired.
Multiple guns were found on the scene. Police say two of the victims did have gun permits.
Police: 5 shot near West Philadelphia rec center; 96 shots fired
"It's very, very frightening and just really, really unfair for folks to have to live in an environment where people are wantonly firing guns without any care or concerns for the people around them," Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Christine Coulter said.
Two victims were on the sidewalk, another two were on the street and a fifth person happened to be driving his BMW through the scene when the gunfire erupted.
The five victims range in age from 17 to 25.
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Police said one victim was in critical condition and a second one was in extremely critical condition at an area hospital. The three other victims are listed as stable.
No other injuries were reported, but police say there were kids practicing sports at the rec center, including football, basketball and cheerleading, at the time of the gunfire.
Officers on patrol in the area heard gunshots and rushed over.
The officers saw four males getting into the white SUV, which crashed just blocks away at Haverford Avenue and Farson Street.
"The officers on routine patrol, they hear the shots, they see the males running back to the car masked and heavily armed," Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker said.
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District Attorney Larry Krasner said the three young men in their 20s were arrested, and at least three others are being sought by police face very serious charges.
"Those charges, if there is no fatality by tonight, will include attempted murder. If there is a fatality, it will include murder, aggravated assault, weapons charges, conspiracy, and there's more than I can say but this is about as serious as it gets," he said.
Multiple rifles and handguns were recovered from the SUV, police said.
"Thank God our officers were in the area to chase and apprehend those suspects. Imagine how much worse things could've been if these officers were not there," said Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
Parents and kids are reeling from the shooting - many of whom go to camp at Shepard Recreation Center daily.
"It's just sad kids can't go to a park and just play, ya know?" said Sam Mixson.
It's still unclear what sparked the gunfire.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.