Shots fired at car during crowded gathering at basketball court in Abington: police

Bullets hit home after Elkins Park basketball court shooting

Police are investigating after numerous shots were fired near the basketball court behind the McKinley Firehouse in Elkins Park on Sunday night, prompting calls for residents to review their surveillance footage for any evidence.

ABINGTON, Pa. - Abington Township police are calling on Elkins Park residents to check their surveillance footage after a scary scene Sunday night when numerous shots rang out.

What we know:

Officers from the Abington Police Department were called to the 300 block of Cadwalder Avenue around 8 p.m.

Police say callers reported hearing gunshots and seeing a large crowd fleeing from the basketball court behind McKinley Firehouse.

Investigators believe a large group of people were gathered on the basketball court when a vehicle drove north on Cadwalder.

That's when police say two males retrieved guns from a nearby parking lot and at least one of them opened fire on the passing car.

Investigators say the two suspects fled in different cars, one described as an Audi sedan. 

"Shortly after, they heard gunshots and the group dispersed and ran in different directions," said Deputy Chief Ed Quinn with the Abington Township Police Department.

At this time, Quinn can’t say for sure how many shooters were present, but has confidence that this was a targeted move.

"The car was coming down the street at high rate of speed and pretty clear, from what we’ve discovered so far, that they were shooting at the car," said Quinn.

No injuries were reported to police or local hospitals. 

A nearby residence on the 300 block of Cadwalder Avenue was struck by a bullet, according to police.

A resident describes the aftermath and close call 

What they're saying:

Robert Finks, whose house was hit by a bullet, said, "I mean, I heard the commotion last night, but like I said, I was taking my grandkids home and we got two minutes down the road." 

Finks said his son narrowly avoided being struck, explaining, "My son was sitting on the steps at that time, two minutes after I left down the road. He told me, ‘I just walked in the house.’ Then he heard the gun, the bullet hit." 

Finks credited the metal door for protecting those inside his home. 

Police are urging anyone with surveillance cameras in the area to check their footage and contact Detective Liz Cartwright if they find anything that could help the investigation. 

Police say the neighborhood is typically quiet, and the shooting was out of the ordinary. 

"The fact that something like this happened there is not normal for that neighborhood," said Quinn. 

What we don't know:

Police have not said how many shooters were involved or released descriptions of any suspects. 

It is also unclear what led to the shooting or whether anyone in the vehicles was injured.