Police are still searching for what is believed to be several gunman following a deadly shooting in a popular area of Philadelphia around 11:30 pm on Saturday night. Two of the five guns used at the scene have been recovered, however no arrests have been made. South Street is one of the city’s most bustling nightlife areas for locals and tourists.
Police believe the shooting was the result of a possible altercation between two men who began shooting at each other in the middle of the crowd. After which three other men are suspected to have joined in the shooting. Bystanders broke out into a panic, running into bars to seek shelter. “We ran as fast as we could, as far as we could” said 23-year-old Joe Smith who was standing outside when the gunfire began.
Some civilians stopped to help victims who were bleeding. Police who had been patrolling the area heard the gunfire break out and believe that one of the gunman ran off after being shot by police. However, officials say they are still in the early stages of investigation and looking into the video and ballistic evidence.
Those confirmed as deceased include 22-year-old Kristopher Minners, 24-year-old Alexis Quinn, and 34-year-old Gregory Jackson. The 11 who were wounded are in stable to critical condition according to officials and their ages range from 17 to 69. The South Street shooting was one of 9 shootings in the city over the weekend.
The tragedy has left the most people wounded or killed in an incident of gun violence since 2015, and the 14 victims are of 94 people that have been shot in Philadelphia in the last 10 days. In wake of the many other mass shootings and incidents of gun violence in America this year, public outcry for increased gun laws continues. The Philadelphia Eagles are holding a gun buyback event on June 6th which had already been planned before the horrors of Saturday night.
