West Philadelphia elementary school hit with gunfire from shooting that injured man, police say

Police: Man, 21, injured in shooting near West Philadelphia elementary school

Police are investigating a shooting that they say left a man injured near a West Philadelphia elementary school Wednesday afternoon.

PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a shooting that injured a man and sent bullets through a West Philadelphia elementary school Wednesday afternoon. 

Shortly before 4 p.m., police were called to the 1600 block of North 54th Street for reports of a shooting near Heston Elementary School

Upon arrival, responding officers say they found a 21-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the thigh. Investigators on scene also located two windows of the school that were shattered by bullets.   

Philadelphia School District spokesperson Monique Braxton says the gunfire erupted right outside the school sending three bullets through the window of the main office, just feet away from where the school secretary was sitting. 

"Three school district employees are lucky to be alive this evening," said Braxton. "When I walked in, they were fighting back tears."

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The victim was rushed to Presbyterian Hospital where authorities say he was placed in stable condition. 

Police say preliminary information suggests that 10 or 11 shots were fired. Police also say neighbors reported seeing a gun on the sidewalk in front of the school. 

Priscilla Brewington just moved to the area and says she was sitting at a window in her apartment across the street from the school when a bullet came through. 

"Glory be to God. I thank God because it could have been a disaster," said Brewington. "I myself lost a son to gun violence, and it has affected me since 2009."

Her son, Antoan Brewington, was just 20 years old when he was shot to death in Philadelphia. 

"It's just senseless. It doesn't make any sense. Why are the children so bitter, and they take their anger out in the streets? They don't know how they're affecting people's lives with all of this," Brewington said. 

Police say a weapon was recovered, but no arrests have been made, and no motive has been determined. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.