1 teen dead, another critically injured in Olney shooting

north philadelphia shooting
TERRANCE TAZWELL / METRO FILE PHOTO

One teenage boy was killed and another was seriously injured following a shooting early Monday morning in Olney.

Officers responded at around 2:30 a.m. to the 200 block of E. Duncannon Street for a report of gunshots, authorities said. At around the same time, a driver transporting the two victims flagged down a police cruiser near Whitaker and Hunting Park avenues in North Philadelphia, according to investigators.

Police said a 16-year-old boy who was shot in the head was rushed to Temple University Hospital with in “extremely critical condition.” He later died of his injuries. The PPD has not publicly identified him.

The other victim, also a 16-year-old boy, sustained wounds to his ear and shoulder, police said. He was later listed in critical condition at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

Detectives found 26 fired cartridge casings from at least two different guns spread across two areas – on Duncannon Street, near Olney High School, and a few blocks away on the 5100 block of N. 3rd Street.

Investigators described the suspects as four males inside an SUV.

Several hours earlier, just after 9:45 p.m. Sunday, gunfire erupted on the 500 block of Sentner Street, about a mile-and-a-half away in Crescentville, police said.

Authorities said a 14-year-old boy was shot in his right leg, and a 43-year-old man was grazed in the leg. Both were hospitalized in stable condition, according to the PPD.

No one was arrested in the immediate aftermath of either incident, and police have not commented on possible motives. Anyone with information is asked to contact the PPD’s Shooting Investigation Group at 215-686-8270 or call or text 215-686-TIPS (8477).

Through Aug. 15, 91 teenagers and children under the age of 18 have been shot in 2024 in Philadelphia, including 11 who were killed, according to the City Commissioner’s gun violence dashboard.

On the same date last year, 15 juveniles had died in shootings, and there were 109 nonfatal victims. Both numbers were even higher in 2022, the data shows.

Counseling, peer support, and victim advocacy services are available for victims, family members, and others affected by gun violence. Go to metrophiladelphia.com/gun-violence-resources for more information