PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — More than a dozen people were shot over Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia, leaving at least four dead, including a teenager.
A 16-year-old boy was shot in the head along Fairmount Avenue, near 12th Street, around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. He died at the hospital.
Around 10:30 Sunday night, another 16-year-old was gunned down. He was shot in the leg along Sartain Street, near Fotteral Square, in North Philadelphia, along with a 32-year-old man, who was shot in the buttock. Both are stable.
Another 16-year-old was shot in the hand at 10th and Thompson streets on Monday morning. He is stable.
An 18-year-old was shot three times Saturday night — in the hand, foot and buttock — along with a 33-year-old who was hit in both legs near Edgily and 23rd streets in North Philadelphia. Both are stable.
Three other homicides happened overnight Sunday: A 55-year-old woman was shot in the head at close range, not far from her home near 29th Street and Allegheny Avenue. A 23-year-old man was shot several times in the neck and chest in Strawberry Mansion, along Stanley Street. Someone drove him to the hospital, where he died.
And, police said two groups were firing at each other on Rorer Street in Kensington when a 34-year-old man was fatally struck in the head while inside a car.
In addition, a 20-year-old man is in critical condition after he was shot twice in the head Sunday morning while driving through Fairmount Park. Police said it happened just before 6 a.m. They were called to an area near the Belmont Plateau for a person with a gun.
Investigators discovered that the car went through two fences and into a tree. Another passenger who was in the car was not hurt. They believe the gunshots came from outside the car.
Typically during the late spring and summer, gun violence ramps up across the city. Although there have been fewer shooting victims since the pandemic’s all-time highs, about 400 people have been shot so far this year.
Police urge people to share any information they may know about these incidents, even if a tip remains anonymous. Anyone with information can call or text a tip at 215-686-8477. As with all homicides, the city is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.