Philly mass shooting: Video shows suspects sought in shooting near West Philly rec center
New video shows suspects in Philly mass shooting at rec center
Police have released surveillance video showing the suspects involved in a mass shooting that occurred at a rec center in Philadelphia Wednesday.
PHILADELPHIA - Newly released surveillance video shared by police shows the suspects they believe are linked to a mass shooting near a West Philadelphia rec center on Wednesday.
The shooting left five people, including two children ages 10 and 11, injured. A rec center employee and two 16-year-olds were also hit by gunfire.
What we know:
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.
Philly mass shooting: Video shows suspects scramble after shooting near rec center
Video shared by police shows multiple suspects scrambling after a mass shooting near a Philadelphia rec center on Wednesday. Five people, including a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old, were injured in the shooting. Two 16-year-olds and a rec center employee were also struck by gunfire.
A 16-year-old who was driven to Penn Presbyterian Hospital in a private vehicle was placed in critical condition. The remaining four victims are said to be stable.
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Philly mass shooting: 5 shot, including 2 children, near West Philly rec center
Two children, two teens and a rec center employee were all victims in a shooting at a West Philly rec center.
Investigators are working to learn more about what sparked the shooting, which occurred just outside Abert W. Christie Rec Center.
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 shared surveillance video clips showing the moments around the shooting and asked for the public's help to identify the suspects.
The newly renovated Christy Recreation Center and pool in West Philadelphia was closed Thursday as police investigated the scene.
What they're saying:
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker spoke at the crime scene, saying the shooters had "no regard for human life, no regard for our young people."
"I'm tired of thoughts and prayers at moments like this because they seem so deficient," the first-term mayor said. "It is not enough, it shouldn't happen."
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Philadelphia's Public Safety Director Adam Geer joined Good Day Philadelphia to discuss a mass shooting that erupted outside a West Philadelphia rec center.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, who recently called shooters who victimize children "cowardly," also spoke at the crime scene.
"There are boundaries, and if they don't set the boundaries we'll set them for them," he said.
Witnesses like Kadeema Medina described the scene as "a horrible sight."
"I’m hurt a little bit, cry a little bit for the kids," Medina expressed her sorrow.
Valare Palmer, a resident of Southwest Philly, shared her concerns about the safety of children in the neighborhood, especially during daylight hours when they are usually playing.
In response to the tragedy, Philadelphia activist Shah from The People’s Accountability Coalition collected signatures outside the rec center for new federal legislation on gun control.
"I feel just as bad as any of the human beings should feel when innocent lives, especially children, are hurt in the midst of things," Shah emphasized the collective grief felt by the community.
What's next:
The Philadelphia Police Department is asking anyone with information on the shooting or the suspects to contact investigators.