Philadelphia, PA — Authorities are investigating a mass shooting that took place in the Grays Ferry area of Philadelphia on July 7, leaving three dead and ten others injured, including three minors.
Incident Details
At approximately 1 a.m., police responded to reports of gunshots in the Grays Ferry neighborhood. Upon arrival, they discovered 13 victims—12 of whom had gunshot wounds—and one who was injured by falling while attempting to flee. Three minors were among the injured, including a 15-year-old girl and two 17-year-old boys. One of the victims, a 19-year-old male, was critically injured with two gunshot wounds to the head.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel provided further details during a press conference, saying, “It’s been a very tragic weekend.” The victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Fatalities
Among the deceased were:
A 19-year-old male who suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
A 23-year-old male who was shot in the chest.
A 24-year-old male who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the back.
Prior Incident in the Area
Bethel also revealed that police had previously responded to the same neighborhood late Saturday night into early Sunday. During the prior incident, arrests were made, and officers continued monitoring the area throughout the weekend. Authorities stated that one person was taken into custody with a weapon, and dozens of shell casings were recovered from the scene of the July 7 shooting.
Community Response
“This is coward stuff,” Commissioner Bethel said. “Individuals just shooting randomly into houses, into cars, at children. This is cowardly, wannabe thug stuff. This is something it’s hard to understand why individuals engage in this behavior.”
The mass shooting follows another violent incident on July 5, when a shooting at a South Philadelphia nightclub left eight people injured. Multiple shooters opened fire at the venue, leading to another investigation by authorities.
Ongoing Investigation
Bethel emphasized the department’s commitment to addressing gun violence, stating, “We are not going back. We are going to continue to stay focused on these areas that have a significant level of violence.”
Authorities are still working to identify suspects and gather more details surrounding the events that led to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information emerges.
