Violent Weekend in Philadelphia: 10 separate shooting incidents leave at least 15 people injured
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are busy Sunday after another night of gun violence in the city, with more than 10 separate shooting incidents from Saturday into Sunday.
At least 15 people have been shot just since 9:30 p.m. Saturday, with a pregnant woman, several teens and a child among the victims.
The pregnant woman was shot in the 3800 block of Poplar Street in Mantua, where a group of people was gathered for a barbeque at a park.
Police said around 9:20 p.m. on Saturday four or five shooters dressed in black unloaded 28 shots, hitting the pregnant woman, two other women and three boys in their late teens.
All the victims were taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital in stable condition.
As of Sunday morning, police are looking for the suspects and don't have a motive for the shooting.
According to 6abc's data team so far this year more than 1121 people have been shot in the city. That is a 35 percent increase from the same period last year.
At least 101 children under 18 have been shot in the city so far this year. That's a 68 percent increase from the year before.
At least eight under 18 have died so far this year, which is four times the number of children shot over the same period last year. Only two kids had been shot dead by the same point in time, last year.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw released a statement saying: "These acts of lawlessness have no place in our communities, and I remain steadfast in that we will hold accountable those individuals who seek to cause harm in our city.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to these six victims, their families and everyone impacted by this terrible event."
Around the same time in the Olney section of the city, an 11-year-old boy was shot as he was playing on the 6000 block of A Street.
Police said a stray bullet grazed the boy's head and shoulder. He is recovering at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
Jamil Roberson, 12, and Taijon Robinson, 15, ventured back to the Olney Recreation Center nearly a day after ducking gunfire. Saturday night they were with their 11-year-old friend who was grazed by gunfire.
"I heard him screaming for help, then I couldn't see him," said Robinson. "Then I heard more shots and started running."
Their friend was grazed on his shoulder and head. They believe the shooters were down the block and stray bullets came their way.
As of Sunday, their friend is okay. But now these kids are asking, "Why does this keep happening on their streets?"
"Why would y'all shoot at a playground instead of...If you have beef why do you use guns? Why can't you throw hands? There's no need for guns. Put the guns down and knuckle up."
Just about an hour later in Oxford Circle, bullets hit a police officer's car as he was responding to a block party shooting.
It happened around 10:20 p.m. near the intersection of Brill Street and Summerdale Avenue. The bullet hit above a passenger-side door and the gas tank.
Investigators said a different officer from the 15th district arrived to assist the officer who was fired at. When that officer arrived, police said a suspect riding an ATV hit the officer, knocking him to the ground.
The officer was taken Jefferson Torresdale Hospital with a head injury. He is listed in stable condition.
Police arrested the man on the ATV not far away from the scene; officers said he was in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest.
Investigators have not said if the driver of the ATV was responsible for firing the shots that hit the officer's car.
Approximately two hours later, just after midnight, someone fired shots in the 800 block of Lex Street in West Philadelphia.
Police said officers found a 19 year old shot in the leg. He was transported to the hospital in stable condition.
A second man was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle. He had been shot multiple times and is in stable condition.
Police found 13 shell casings at the scene.
Then, around 1:15 a.m., police say a man was shot on the 1800 block of Hart Lane.
Investigators said a 26-year-old man with one gunshot wound was taken to Temple Hospital in stable condition.
Just after 2 a.m. police said a man walked into Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm.
The man is in stable condition.
Police said there is no word on what sparked that shooting.
About an hour later, gunfire rang out at the intersection of Pratt Street and Charles Street, striking a 19-year-old man.
The victim was taken to Temple University Hospital with gunshot wounds in his stomach and his arm. He is listed in critical condition.
Police said no arrests have been made.
Around 4:45 a.m. a man was shot in the left shin on the 1000 block of Arch Street.
The 32-year-old victim was taken by medics to Jefferson Hospital in stable condition
Just about 15 minutes later officers discovered yet another shooting victim in Center City.
Police found a man with a gunshot wound to his leg outside of the H&M store on North 10th and Market streets.
The man is recovering in the hospital, as investigators work to track down the shooter.
Later Sunday morning, just before 11 a.m., police said a 25-year-old man walked into Temple Hospital with a bullet hole in his back and a graze wound to his head.
Police said the man was shot on the 1100 block of North Bodine Street Sunday morning,
Police are still investigating the incident and no arrests have been made at this time.
The man is said to be in stable condition.
Anyone with information on any of these shooting incidents is asked to contact the police.
