PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 16-year-old boy has been shot multiple times outside of his school in West Philadelphia, and has been hospitalized in critical condition.
The shooting happened Monday afternoon just before 3 p.m., shortly before the bell rang at KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy in the Parkside neighborhood. The school momentarily entered a lockdown at that time.
Police said the boy was at that corner by a T-Mobile store when a dark-colored SUV drove by, with someone inside the vehicle firing right at the teen.
“We believe it’s targeted at this point, not only because of the fact that he’s here, [but] he’s here by himself," said Philadelphia Police Capt. John Walker.
"A car pulls in and knows where he’s at, and the shots are clearly directed at him and him alone.”
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The boy was shot at least seven times, with five bullets hitting his stomach. He was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition.
Walker said the boy is the third teenager shot from over the weekend.
"We're just looking to redouble our efforts to work with the schools, school administration, parents, neighborhoods, communities, setting up safe corridors," said Walker.
"Trying to make sure our future, which is our kids, can go forward instead of sitting in hospitals and dealing with medical care."
As for the suspect, police believe they kept driving through the neighboring shopping plaza, and are looking for surveillance footage to get a better look at the suspect's vehicle.
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"Obviously we know this is an area where there is a shopping center, also some large office buildings where a lot of people walk and drive through,” said Walker.
The ParkWest Town Center is nearby, which includes a Lowe’s, ShopRite and a Goodwill location.
"It's not like it's anything new," said Jamal Friend, who said he was cutting through the plaza after going shopping when he heard those gunshots and saw people coming to the teen's aid.
Police did not yet know a motive early Monday evening.
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