2 being questioned after trash dispute leads to shooting in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that reportedly stemmed from an argument over the placement of trash.
Action News has learned it wasn't the first time police were called out for a dispute between neighbors.
Officers were called to a home on the 2900 block of North Hicks Street in North Philadelphia around 10 p.m., where a 30-year-old man was shot in the torso and legs.
The victim was taken to Temple University Hospital in critical but stable condition.
According to Inspector D.F. Pace, a 37-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy are being questioned by police.
Police believe one neighbor came at the others with a screwdriver during the dispute, but someone ended up shooting him after he went back into his house.
Investigators say this all apparently stemmed from an argument over trash on the curb.
Based on ballistic evidence, the shooter fired from outside the home into the front door, where the victim was standing.
"It appears that the door was closed and the shooter shot through the door. We have four shell casings out on the street on the 2900 block of North Hicks right in front of the door of the person who was shot," said Pace.
A nearby car was also hit by one of the bullets.
Police are still trying to figure out what led up to the gunfire.
"The gunshot victim is believed to have possibly been threatening or acting in an aggressive manner toward the individual who ultimately shot him -- threatening them with a screwdriver possibly. So there was some sort of argument that preceded the shooting," Pace explained.
Officers also responded to the same home around 11 a.m. Tuesday for a similar argument between the neighbors and issues with trash but it didn't escalate to violence, police said.
Two guns were recovered at the scene.
Police are still working to determine who fired a weapon. No charges have been filed.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
