South Street shooting survivor recalls chaos after gunfire rang out
"I had a giant hole coming out of my New Balance sneaker and smoke coming out of my foot," recalled survivor Jon Johnson.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- People were running for their lives after shots rang out on South Street in Philadelphia Saturday night.
The shooting claimed the lives of three people and injured 11 others.
Action News spoke with Jon Johnson, one of the survivors who was taken to Jefferson University Hospital. He is pleading for the violence to stop.
"I just want to make good now. That woke me up. That bullet, when it hits you, it's a different type of feeling, trust me," said Johnson.
Johnson was enjoying his Saturday night with friends when the gunfire erupted.
"I had a giant hole coming out of my New Balance sneaker and smoke coming out of my foot. That's how I knew it was real. Me, personally, I seen two people die right in front of my face. I'm still trying to come to terms with that. I don't know how to respond," said Johnson.
While Johnson is one of the lucky ones, he has to live with this grim memory. He's still trying to register the tragedy that unfolded right before his eyes.
According to AFT Pennsylvania, the union representing over 36,000 educators and paraprofessionals, Kris Minners was among those killed. He was a second-grade resident advisor at Girard College and a member of the Girard College Federation of Teachers. Girard College is a five-day boarding school in Philadelphia for students grades 1-12.
LATEST: 3 dead, 11 injured after shooting on South Street in Philadelphia
"Our hearts are heavy today with the passing of Kris Minners, a second-grade boys' resident advisor at Girard College and member of our union, yet another victim of senseless gun violence. Our thoughts are with Mr. Minners' family who woke up this morning missing someone at their breakfast table, his colleagues who will be without a friend, and with his students who will be without a mentor and a role model," said the union in a statement.
Friends and loved ones have also identified another one of the deceased as 34-year-old Greg "Japan" Jackson. He was an avid skater at Millennium Skate World and was well-known in the boxing community. Police sources said Jackson was one of three men seen in surveillance video involved in an argument before the shootout.
Philadelphia police identified the third victim as 27-year-old Alexis Quinn.
James Glover, a driver who was making several food deliveries at the time of the South Street shooting, said he wears a bulletproof vest to protect himself due to the gun violence in the city.
"I have multiple vests and it's for safety. I live in a city that's very dangerous. I know not everyone can afford it, but there aren't many options," said Glover.
SEE ALSO: What we know about victims killed in South Street mass shooting
People are sick of losing loved ones to gun violence. Johnson says he hopes to see change.
"Stop the violence do the right thing. Stop the crime and treat people with the utmost respect," said Johnson.
