Three people were shot and one was struck by a police vehicle after feuding groups exchanged gunfire at a park where about 1,000 were celebrating the end of Ramadan, officials say.
Three people were shot and a child was hit by a law enforcement vehicle after gunfire broke out Wednesday afternoon at a Philadelphia park where about 1,000 people had gathered to celebrate the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, police said.
Kevin Bethel, Philadelphia’s police commissioner, said in a news conference that two groups that appeared to be feuding “factions” began exchanging gunfire at Clara Muhammad Square around 2:30 p.m. About 30 shots were fired, Bethel said. Officers arrested four people exiting the West Philadelphia park who were carrying weapons, Bethel said. A fifth person, a male 15-year-old who was shot by an officer in the leg and shoulder, was also arrested, he said. The boy, who was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, was holding a gun when the officer fired, Bethel said.Two other people are in stable condition, including a 22-year-old who was shot in the stomach and a juvenile who was shot in the hand, Bethel said.
The celebratory gathering descended into chaos amid the gunfire. Bethel said people attending the event grabbed children and pulled them out of harm’s way.“We’re very, very fortunate today that we did not have more individuals shot or anyone killed,” Bethel said. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker visited the scene of the shooting to speak with community members, her office told The Washington Post. Katherine Gilmore Richardson, an at-large member of the City Council, said in a“While Eid marks the end of Ramadan and is meant to be a celebratory occasion, families and community members must now deal with yet another senseless shooting,” Richardson said. “I am praying for the victims, their families and entire Muslim community in Philadelphia.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
At least three shot when gunfire erupts at Philadelphia Eid event, police sayPolice say at least one person fired shots at a large crowd near a gathering for a Ramadan event at a mosque in west Philadelphia.
Read more »
At least three shot when gunfire erupts at Philadelphia Eid event, police sayWatch it again! KVUE's full coverage of the 2024 total solar eclipse from across Central Texas.
Read more »
At least three shot when gunfire erupts at Philadelphia Eid event, police sayPolice say at least three people were shot and injured Wednesday at an Eid al-Fitr event in Philadelphia.
Read more »
At least three shot when gunfire erupts at Philadelphia Eid event, police sayPolice say at least three people were shot and injured Wednesday at an Eid al-Fitr event in Philadelphia.
Read more »
At least three shot when gunfire erupts at Philadelphia Eid event, police sayTyrese Simmons is accused of fatally shooting 9-year-old Brandoniya Bennett.
Read more »
Gunfire Erupts at Eid al-Fitr Event in Philadelphia, Leaving Three InjuredA joyful celebration of the end of Ramadan devolved into panic Wednesday in Philadelphia after rival groups exchanged gunfire, leaving at least three people injured and hundreds of parents and children to flee in search of safety.
Read more »