Deadly start to the new year in Philadelphia leaves 2 dead, 12 injured in separate shootings
Philadelphia finished 2021 with at least 560 homicides. The highest number on record.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police say at least 14 people were shot on the first day of 2022, leaving two dead.
"We have several crime scenes that are being processed right now," said Inspector D.F. Pace, with the Philadelphia Police Department.
Police responded to three separate shootings in North Philadelphia early Saturday morning.
Officials say five shooting victims were found on the 1600 block of Cecil B. Moore around 2 a.m.
All five victims were rushed to Temple University Hospital.
Police say a 16-year-old boy was among the shooting victims. He was shot once in the head and died from his injuries.
A 20-year-old man was also shot and is listed in critical condition.
"We see young people getting younger, and younger, who are either victims of gun violence or those who are carrying guns, so we have to encourage our young people and not fail them," said Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson.
The shooting happened just blocks from Temple University's campus.
Authorities say the victims were leaving a New Year's Eve party when the shots were fired.
A short time earlier, police say three victims were shot while also leaving a New Year's Eve party in North Philadelphia.
Police say a man and two women were found shot on the 100 block of East Lurray Street around 1:30 a.m.
Officials say the male victim died from his injuries. The two women were listed in stable condition.
Investigators say the party was at an auto repair shop and the shooter was also in attendance.
Shortly after, two more people ended up shot in North Philadelphia near the intersection of 8th and Cambria streets around 2:15 a.m.
A 36-year-old man was shot in the leg, and a 22-year-old woman was shot in the eye.
They are both listed in stable condition.
Meantime, in the city's Wissinoming section, more gunshots rang out.
Police say this happened just before 3:30 a.m. on the 6000 block of Torresdale Avenue.
Officials say a 28-year-old man was shot in the leg and rushed to Temple University Hospital. He is listed in stable condition.
In the city's Port Richmond section, police say three men in their 20's were shot sometime during the morning hours on the 3900 block of Frankford Avenue.
All three victims were listed in stable condition.
"Totally unacceptable to start off the new year with the continuance of the senseless gun violence that we're seeing here in the City of Philadelphia," said Johnson.
Philadelphia closed out 2021 with a record number of homicides.
The city recorded at least 560 homicides for the year.
That number is the highest on record.
"We didn't get here overnight, and I don't expect us to address this issue overnight," said Johnson.
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