In North Philadelphia, a mass shooting unfolded early Saturday morning, injuring multiple individuals after nearly 50 shots were fired in a crowded area, authorities reported.
The chaos erupted around 4 a.m. near Cumberland and 11th Streets, where police confirmed that seven people were struck. Two of the victims are in critical condition, while the other five are expected to recover.
Among the injured is a 17-year-old who was shot in the chest, according to NBC 10. Specifics about the other victims’ injuries remain undisclosed.
Currently, police have not established a suspect or motive for the shooting. Captain Shaun Butts of the Philadelphia Police mentioned that they are searching for a juvenile male suspect dressed in black at the time of the incident.
At the scene, authorities noted the presence of around two dozen shell casings, prompting a thorough investigation.
AP
This incident comes just days after another shooting occurred in the parking lot of Rivers Casino Philadelphia, where a 37-year-old man was shot multiple times on Thursday. He was hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds to his lower legs. His identity is yet to be released, and no arrests have been made.
Additionally, a separate shooting on Wednesday resulted in the death of 34-year-old Reginald Jones, who was shot inside a Chinese takeout restaurant. Surveillance footage showed him arguing with a suspected shooter before the incident. No arrests have been made, and no weapons have been recovered in his case either.
Despite the recent surge in violent incidents, Philadelphia has reported a decrease in overall homicides and shootings in 2024 compared to the previous year, with shootings down by 34 percent and violent crime by 12 percent.
Nevertheless, the city is still on course to exceed 1,000 shooting victims in 2024. On a brighter note, Philadelphia is projected to have fewer than 300 homicides this year, marking a significant milestone since 2016.
In April, a report by the Center for American Progress highlighted that Philadelphia experienced the largest decline in gun violence among major U.S. cities.