2-year-old boy shot in North Philadelphia, police say

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A young child was rushed to the hospital after he was shot inside a home Saturday night, according to Philadelphia police.

It happened around 8:36 p.m. on the 2200 block of North 20th Street.

Police say a 2-year-old boy was shot at least once in the right side of his back.

The toddler has two wounds in his back, but police say they aren't sure if it's an entrance and exit wound.

He was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was placed in critical condition.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

"All we know is that the home is occupied by multiple people at some point in time when this little boy was shot," said Deputy Commissioner John Stanford.

Police officers waited outside the residence for a search warrant as part of the investigation.

"This two-year-old should be able to play and live and be free, not have to worry about fighting for their lives as a result of a gunshot wound," said Stanford.

According to our Action News data journalism team, as of September 21, 166 children under 18 have been shot in Philadelphia. That's up from 156 by this time last year. Of these children, 23 were shot and killed.

No arrests have been made and police say no weapon was recovered.