Violent night in Philadelphia leaves 4 dead, 2 injured

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A violent night in Philadelphia left four people dead and two others wounded in three separate shootings.

Police were first called to a triple shooting around 6 p.m. Tuesday inside a corner store on the 2900 block of North Howard Street in North Philadelphia.

All three victims were taken to Temple University Hospital by police. One victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. The two others were critically wounded.

Police said they believe the victims were targeted.

A few hours later in South Philadelphia, another fatal shooting was reported.

Police said two people were struck by gunfire and died from their injuries.

The victims were shot while sitting inside a vehicle around 9 p.m. along the 2300 block of Moore Street. They were rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center but did not survive.

Those living where the crimes played out, like Brian Jones from South Philadelphia, are upset by the shootings in their neighborhood but also grieving for the families involved.

"Man, it is like crazy, these young guys. Like he was a good guy," said Jones." My mom said 'you just left for five minutes and then all of this went off.' That was a young guy, a good guy and it is hurting me," Jones told Action News.

The third shooting unfolded around the same time in the city's Frankford section.

Police said a 32-year-old man was shot and killed in the 4300 block of Milnor Street.

The victim was hit in the chest. He was taken to Temple Hospital where he died.

According to Philadelphia police, there have been 76 homicides so far this year. That's compared to 69 this time last year, which is a 10 percent increase.

Investigators say the incident on Milnor Street has not been added to this year's total homicides because they are working to see if it was justified. For now, officers are calling it a death investigation.

Shira Goodman with Cease Fire Pennsylvania says gun violence is out of control here in Philadelphia and across the country.

"It was a really bad night and I think we are going to have more. We have been seeing the trend going this direction and nobody is exactly sure why. Is it because there are more guns, is it because they are more easily available? Is it because tensions are escalating?" Goodman said.

No arrests have been made in any of these shootings.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.