Police identified a suspect Monday wanted in the shooting of a man last week at an East Germantown recreation center.
Authorities have issued a warrant for Anthony T. Smith, 23, in connection with the incident, which happened at around 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at Lonnie Young Recreation Center, located at Chelten Avenue and Ardleigh Street, investigators said.
The PPD said an 18-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition with two gunshot wounds to his chest.
Smith is set to be charged with aggravated assault, firearm violations and related offenses, according to police.
First Deputy Police Commissioner John Stanford told reporters at the scene that the gunfire appeared to stem from a fight. Officers found 11 spent shell casings at the scene, and Stanford said about 40 children were using the rec center’s playground at the time of the shooting.
The incident happened a couple of days after three teenage boys were shot at Finley Recreation Center, which is less than 2 miles away in East Mount Airy. City officials were holding an emergency community meeting at Finley when the shots were fired at Lonnie Young.
Anyone with information about Smith is asked to contact the PPD’s Shooting Investigation Group at 215-686-8270 or call or text the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
