PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Police Department has released surveillance video of the broad-daylight shooting of two teens, in the hopes of identifying the suspects. Police data shows the number of kids shot — and the number of kids arrested for gun crime — is up from last year.
Philadelphia police say a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old were ambushed on Thursday around 5 p.m. in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Southwest Philadelphia, at 54th Street and Willows Avenue.
Video shows a white Dodge Charger drive past a group of three males crossing the street, then stop at the corner. A male gets out of the passenger side and opens fire. He then gets back in the car before it speeds away.
Police said the 16-year-old victim was shot in the head. He remains in critical condition at the hospital. The 14-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound to his side. He is expected to make a physical recovery.
The car has tinted windows, a black rear spoiler, dual exhaust, an air vent scoop on the front hood, a black roof antenna and a black grill, according to police.
Anyone who sees the suspect or suspects is asked to call 911. Tips can be submitted by calling or texting 215-686-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online.
These teens are just two of nearly 200 kids who have been shot so far this year, according to police. Teens and kids make up about 10% of the total number of shooting victims in the city. There were 212 young gunshot victims last year. With three months left to go, 2022 is looking to be even more dangerous.
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This week alone, nearly a dozen teens were shot, including five outside Roxborough High School on Tuesday after a scrimmage match with two other high school football teams. A 14-year-old was killed, and the four others were wounded.
Two-dozen young people under the age of 18 have been killed in shootings so far this year. The city is on pace with last year’s record-breaking number of homicides.
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Police statistics also show about 60 juveniles have been arrested in connection to shootings. No one under the age of 21 is legally allowed to carry a firearm in Pennsylvania, but about 200 kids have been arrested for carrying guns this year.
Just Thursday morning, Boys' Latin Charter Middle School and High School in West Philadelphia were on lockdown after a middle school student was spotted on a bus bringing a loaded gun magazine to school in his backpack.