Philadelphia shooting near school leaves 7 injured, including children
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A shooting in Philadelphia leaves a mother, her 2-year-old, and 5 other teenagers wounded on a street crossing near a school.
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Image released by Philadelphia Police Department in relation to the shooting incident suspects (Philadelphia Police Department)
US authorities are looking for three gunmen who shot a woman, her 2-year-old daughter, and five teens outside a Philadelphia school early Thursday evening.
Just before 6 pm, the 2-year-old child, her 31-year-old mother, two 16-year-old boys, a 15-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy, and a 17-year-old boy were at the junction of 31st and Norris streets close to the James G. Blaine School when a car stopped right in front of them and three assailants got out of the vehicle and started shooting.
The teens shot were students of the School District of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said, "We don't believe that all of the victims at this point were intended targets," as he highlighted that "there were some people inside of a vehicle, some people on the sidewalk, when the shooters approached."
Significantly, the police also noted all seven victims were transported to a nearby hospital and remain in stable condition.
During his briefing, according to NBC10, Outlaw also stated, "Our shooters are getting younger and younger. Our victims are getting younger and younger. And they have guns," adding, "If you know that this young person has a gun -- of course it's illegal -- in your home, you can report that. You can do that anonymously. You can call 911, whatever it is. But we have to get the guns out of the hands of these young people. Be nosy. Know what your young people are doing."
In a statement on Twitter, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, "It’s heartbreaking and infuriating to learn of another shooting occurring on or near school grounds."
Schools and other public spaces must remain safe havens for youth and the community. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating to learn of another shooting occurring on or near school grounds. I’m praying for the victims involved. https://t.co/dr5LtUeXsP
— Mayor Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) February 24, 2023
Florida gunman goes on shooting spree killing at least 3 victims
Just yesterday, a gunman in Orange County, Florida, went on a shooting spree as he injured two people and killed at least three people throughout the day, including a TV reporter and a 9-year-old girl, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
The shooter began his shooting spree in the morning when he killed a 20-year-old, with whom he seemed to be acquainted. Later that day, the shooter went back to the crime scene and killed a TV reporter who was reporting the murder and a 9-year-old girl who lived nearby.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina said the 19-year-old suspect, Keith Melvin Moses, is currently in police custody. Moses' motive is yet to be determined.
"The suspect in a series of shootings today that left three dead, including a woman in her 20s, a 9-year-old girl, and a News 13 employee. We extend our deepest condolences to all of their families," the sheriff's office said Wednesday.
The mother of the 9-year-old and a photographer who worked with the slain News 13 reporter were also shot. The reporter and the photographer were shot while they were in their vehicle.
The suspect has a long criminal history of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, grand theft, and gun violations.
Gun violence reports revealed that mass shootings are on the rise in the United States.
Recently, the United States has been rocked by a succession of high-profile mass shootings, including in schools, churches, grocery stores, and hospitals. The incidents have collectively left dozens dead and many others injured.
