PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A mother and her two children are expected to physically recover after a shooting at a graduation party in North Philadelphia Thursday night. A man who was also struck remains critically injured.
The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. when a group was gathered for a party along Lambert Street near Dauphin. Police said some people, including children, were tossing a football in the street when a black SUV sped down the block and nearly struck them.
Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said ‘words were exchanged’ and the driver took off east on Dauphin.
About 3 minutes later, in the same direction the vehicle drove off, a male returned and opened fire on the group.
“We see on some video that the individual firing the weapon is aiming toward the crowd,” Vanore said.
An 11-year-old boy was shot at least three times throughout his body, and his 13-year-old sister was shot once in the abdomen. Their 36-year-old mother was shot in the back.
A 45-year-old man, believed to be unrelated to the other victims, remains in critical condition.
“The male is shot in the arm, was hit twice. We believe it [hit] an artery because he is also critical,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Investigators said the gunman pulled the trigger from down the block.
“We found 10 shell casings at the corner of Lambert and Dauphin,” he said. “Where the victims were having the party was about 10 houses north of where the shooter was standing.”
Police said it’s likely the victims were hit with stray bullets.
“You would sure hope that an 11- and 13-year-old are not the intended target. They’re way too young,” said Small. “We’re pretty confident we’re gonna have a lot of witnesses.”
Investigators said the entire incident was caught on nearby surveillance cameras and are reviewing that footage. The suspect was seen running eastbound on Dauphin Street immediately after the shooting.
“We are urging anyone who knows anything about it, including people who were involved, to call us,” Vanore said.