PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are investigating a broad-daylight shooting outside a West Philadelphia recreation center that wounded five people, including two children, two teens and a city worker.
Police said there was a fight Wednesday afternoon at the Christy Recreation Center at 56th and Christian streets. Staff members broke it up, but officials said the people involved in the fight returned just after 4 p.m.
Investigators don’t know how many shooters were there, but shots were fired outside the pool area on 56th Street. A 10-year-old boy, an 11-year-old girl and a 32-year-old staff member all suffered graze wounds. Two 16-year-old boys were hit; one of them is critical.
Police released surveillance video showing four people believed to be involved. They are seen walking to the area and running away after the shooting.
The exact motive for the shooting isn’t clear. No one has been arrested. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Surveillance Video
Outside the rec center, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said this shooting was personal for him.
“It’s difficult for me today because I grew up here. I lived only two blocks away. This was always a safe place for us as children to come,” he said.
Mayor Cherelle Parker echoed the sentiment that rec centers and city pools need to be protected.
“This swimming pool just opened for the summer season today. Our swimming pools have to be safe havens for our young people and families, especially as we deal with the summer heat,” she told reporters.
Parker also didn’t mince words in calling out the violence.
“To do it right here, where you know young people are engaged in activities that are supposed to be safe and fun, that means that you have no regard for human life. You have no regard for our young people,” she said.
It was the first day that the Christy Rec Center pool was open, and dozens of kids were in the water. A day camp had just ended an hour prior to the shooting. It remains closed on Thursday.
The city said mental health services are available for any of the rec center workers and community members who were affected by the shooting.