Two children, two teens, and an adult city worker were shot Wednesday afternoon outside a public pool in West Philadelphia.
Gunfire rang out just after 4 p.m. at Christy Rec Center, near the intersection of 56th and Christian streets. An 11-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were both injured, but are expected to make a full recovery, according to authorities.
A 16-year-old boy was shot twice in the back, and is currently being treated at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition, police confirmed.
Another 16-year-old boy was also taken to Penn Presbyterian and is reported to be in stable condition.
The fifth victim, a city employee, sustained a graze wound to the hand and buttocks, and is in stable condition.
Police say the shooting stemmed from an earlier fight at the pool. The individuals involved left, but later returned to the area and opened fire along 56th Street, according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
Approximately 75 people were at the public pool when the shooting happened, as temperatures rose to close to 100 degrees Wednesday in the city.
“It’s difficult for me today, because I grew up here. That is a pool that I grew up in. I lived only two blocks away,” Bethel told reporters at the scene. “This was always a safe place for us as children to come.”
“To find that we had almost 75 children in the pool. And individuals would come down here and fire when our children are here,” he continued. “There are boundaries. And if they don’t set the boundaries, then we will set them for them.”
Both Bethel and Mayor Cherelle Parker vowed to hold every individual involved accountable. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call or text the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
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.
