A Sunday night hangout in a Bridesburg basement turned violent when a gun went off and hit a 16-year-old boy in the cheek, according to Philadelphia police. Officers were called to a home on the 4500 block of Salmon Street just before 9 p.m., after a group of teenagers handling firearms downstairs triggered what investigators say appears to have been an accidental shooting. The teen was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition.
As reported by 6abc, the wounded teen was transported for treatment and the person who fired the shot was taken into custody. Officers recovered at least one firearm at the scene, and investigators are working to determine who owns the weapon. Police described the episode as mishandling of a gun rather than an intentional attack.
What police said
Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace told NBC10 that officers responded at about 8:46 p.m. and that the shooting happened in the basement while teens were handling firearms. He said the person of interest is believed to be another teenager, roughly 15 to 17 years old, and that detectives recovered multiple guns while treating the residence as a crime scene. Detectives were interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available video as they work to determine who owned the weapons and exactly how the shooting unfolded.
A familiar pattern
The incident echoes other recent tragedies in Philadelphia involving teens and unsecured guns. In January, The Philadelphia Inquirer detailed a case in which a 16-year-old was shot and killed inside a restaurant bathroom. Local coverage and law-enforcement officials have repeatedly urged secure storage and close adult supervision to keep firearms out of young people’s hands. Advocates say these recurring incidents highlight ongoing gaps in storage and access that can turn a single mistake into a life-altering injury.
What investigators want
Police are asking anyone with information or video of the Bridesburg shooting to call 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip through the Philadelphia Police Department’s online form. The department notes that tips can include photos or video to help detectives as they examine the house and trace the firearms recovered at the scene.
