New video released of suspect in Philadelphia rec center shooting that injured 5
New video shows Philadelphia rec center shooting suspect after he changed clothing
Philadelphia police have released additional video of a suspect in Wednesday's shooting near a rec center that injured five people, including several children. They say the new video shows the suspect after he changes his clothing.
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police have released additional video of a suspect in connection with a shooting near a Philadelphia rec center Wednesday.
Among the injured were two young children, two teens, and a rec center employee.
The backstory:
Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the intersection of 56th and Christian streets around 4 p.m. Wednesday for reports of a shooting.
Police found five shooting victims at the crime scene, including a 10-year-old boy, an 11-year-old girl, two 16-year-olds, and a 32-year-old rec center employee.
A 16-year-old who was driven to Penn Presbyterian Hospital in a private vehicle was placed in critical condition. The remaining four victims were all said to be stable.
Officials say it was the first day the rec center reopened its pool, and approximately 75 people were in the fenced-in pool area when the shooting happened.
The Philadelphia Police Department previously shared surveillance video clips showing the moments leading up to the shooting and asked for the public's help to identify the suspects who could be seen going to and from the scene.
What we know:
Police say the new surveillance video shows an armed suspect who was previously seen in video released earlier this week.
According to police, the suspect was tracked to an alley on the 800 block of South 55th Street where he removed his durag and black t-shirt. He emerged from the alley in a white tank top and shorts, wearing a backpack.
The suspect was last seen trying to board the SEPTA trolley at 55th and Baltimore.
Police have described the suspect as a Black male between the ages of 15 and 18. He has shoulder-length dreadlocks with blonde or frosted tips and was wearing a Nike backpack.
Dig deeper:
Philly rec center mass shooting: New video shows suspect
New details emerge after a mass shooting occurred at a rec center in Philadelphia.
Every first Friday of the month, the Christy Recreation Center hosts a food giveaway, providing essential groceries to the community. This month, the event took place just days after the mass shooting.
State Representative Rick Krajewski emphasized the importance of acknowledging the trauma. "We can't just pretend this didn't happen a couple days ago. We have to create space for this tragedy and this trauma," said Krasjewski.
Families lined up for fresh produce and groceries on the same streets where surveillance cameras captured suspects fleeing just 48 hours ago.
Senator Anthony H. Williams chose not to cancel the event. "We know there are people in need either emotionally, certainly there might be food or clothing. We want to make sure that folks in this neighborhood know we are gonna be there for them," he said.
Carol Johnson, a resident whose granddaughter loves to dance at the Christy Rec Center, expressed her hope for change.
"I wish I knew. I pray about it all the time. I said oh God, please, something gotta happen," said Johnson.
Harold Boswell, an advocate with Eddie's House, shared his heartbreak.
"Just looking at my kids, I can't imagine my daughter or my son getting shot at 10 or 11. It just breaks my heart and it's scary," said Boswell.
Boswell spends his days canvassing the streets, hoping to help young people who might be at risk.
"You never give up on them, you never give up on them, you always try," he said.
What's next:
The investigation into Wednesday's shooting continues, with no arrests made yet.
The community remains resilient, using events like the food giveaway to support one another and address the ongoing trauma.