11-year-old girl shot after gunfire erupts in West Philadelphia
Police say the child was struck in the hip by stray gunfire. A man was also wounded in the shooting.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are searching for at least two people involved in a shootout that injured an 11-year-old girl and a man late Wednesday night.
Investigators said the shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. and spans a few intersections along South 52nd Street in West Philadelphia.
Police found shell casings near South 52nd and Chestnut streets, where they said the girl was struck in the hip by stray gunfire while shopping at stores that were still open.
"We of course believe that since she's only 11 years old, she was struck by stray gunfire. We believe she was with her mother and other family members when she got shot," said Chief Inspector Scott Small. "They were standing in front of some businesses and stores at the intersection of 52nd and Chestnut Streets."
Investigators said the family was able to take cover in a nearby corner store. The girl is now stable at the hospital, according to police.
Police said nearly 30 shots were fired and that additional shell casings were found at 52nd and Market and near Ludlow Street.
A 32-year-old man was shot in the left leg near 52nd and Market, which is next to the busy 52nd Street SEPTA station, according to police.
They rushed him to the hospital and said he is stable.
Right now, police aren't sure if he was an intended target or just an innocent bystander.
Investigators are questioning witnesses for more information.
"We found one vehicle parked at 52nd and Ludlow that was struck on the passenger side by gunfire. In that vehicle, we found a 16-year-old female hiding in that vehicle, so we transported her to police headquarters as a witness," Small said.
Small said the driver of that vehicle ran during the shooting, so they're making sure there isn't any possible involvement.
This is a busy area at all times of the day with people going in and out of local businesses.
"We just got the food, and we were walking back and then we just heard three shots," said David Smiley. "They all sounded the same, and then two seconds later I heard five different other guns going off."
"I didn't know what was going on," Smiley continued. "My son turned around and ran. I said, 'Oh let me stop running' because we didn't want to get mistaken for somebody that they might've been aiming for."
Businesses bear the marks of a shooting a couple of weeks ago around the 4th of July. Bullets went through the metal gate and window behind it.
Some are hoping for more police in the area.
"It's considered a marketplace. Everybody comes here, stores don't close until about 11, 12 at night, so it still should be safe," said Sal Johnson.
The 6abc Data Team uncovered that so far this year, 107 kids under the age of 18 have been shot.
Detectives don't yet have a description of the shooters, but said they are checking city-operated real-time crime cameras in search of footage that may have captured those who are involved.
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