Overnight violence in West Philadelphia left one woman fighting for her life and a group of friends staring down gun barrels, as two separate incidents early Saturday unfolded within hours of each other, according to police. A 27-year-old woman was shot in the left eye and a 23-year-old woman was hit in the left shoulder, and the pair were rushed by car to Temple University Hospital. Hours later, investigators say suspects linked to a shootout near a house party forced people out of a black 2010 Nissan Maxima on the 5000 block of Parkside Avenue, then ditched the vehicle on the 1800 block of Nolan Street.
Officers from the 25th District were called to Temple University Hospital around 2:42 a.m. Saturday after the two women showed up with gunshot wounds, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. Investigators told FOX 29 the women had just left a bar at about 2:30 a.m. when a dark-colored sedan pulled alongside their car and someone inside opened fire. The 23-year-old was reported in stable condition, while the 27-year-old remained in critical condition. The Shooting Investigation Group is handling the double-shooting case, and as of publication police had not announced any arrests.
Police Ask Witnesses To Call Tip Line
Philadelphia police are once again leaning on the public, urging anyone with information or video to call or text the anonymous tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or use the online "Submit a Tip" form. The department notes that the Shooting Investigation Group is tasked with hospital-dropoff shooting cases, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. The PPD website also provides district contact information for neighbors who might have surveillance footage or who witnessed part of the chaos.
Parkside Carjacking Followed A Shootout
In the Parkside case, police say the trouble kicked off around 1:50 a.m. when two groups exchanged gunfire near the 5000 block of Parkside Avenue. After the shots, two to four males approached the parked Maxima, ordered the driver to leave with the vehicle, then later forced the occupants out at gunpoint, according to FOX 29 Philadelphia. The suspects sped off east on Parkside toward 50th Street. Officers from the 14th District later located the Maxima abandoned on Nolan Street. Police said the carjacking victims were not physically injured, even if the encounter was anything but painless.
Detectives from the Shooting Investigation Group and Southwest Detectives continue to process both crime scenes and go door-to-door in search of witnesses. Investigators have asked anyone with tips, cellphone video or dash-cam footage to reach out through the PPD tip line or the department’s online form, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Both incidents remain under active investigation, and officials had not released additional details as of Saturday afternoon.
