A Tuesday night hangout in Philadelphia’s Fairhill neighborhood turned into a crime scene when a 14-year-old boy was shot while standing with friends, according to police.
Witnesses told investigators they heard gunfire around 11:30 p.m. near Lehigh Avenue and Franklin Street and then saw a group of roughly 10 teenagers sprinting down the 2600 block of North Franklin Street. The teen, who police say was struck in the back, ran down Franklin Street before being taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
What Police Say Happened
Investigators recovered a shell casing in the middle of the block and are combing through surveillance footage to figure out who opened fire. "We know three shots were fired from what appears to be two separate caliber semi-automatic weapons," Chief Inspector Scott Small told 6abc.
Police say they do not yet have a description of the shooter and have not identified a motive. The investigation remains active.
Neighborhood On Edge Amid Ongoing Gun Violence
City data shows that 20 people younger than 18 have been shot in Philadelphia so far this year, down from 37 at this point last year, according to reporting by 6abc.
Fairhill has felt the impact before. Less than a month earlier, a deadly shooting near Howard Street and Lehigh Avenue in the same neighborhood left one man dead and another wounded, with investigators recovering nearly two dozen shell casings, CBS Philadelphia reported. Together, the incidents underline how quickly a casual night out in parts of North Philadelphia can turn dangerous.
Neighbors in Fairhill say the latest shooting has families on edge, and local groups have urged anyone with video or information to contact investigators. Police continue to process evidence at the scene and have not identified suspects. The city's Shooting Investigation Group is leading the probe.
