Several people were reportedly shot at a Ramadan event in West Philadelphia on Wednesday. According to the reports, the shooting incident took place at the end of the Eid event near the 4700 block of Wyalusing Avenue.
Three people have been injured and five arrests have been made. Five people including teen who was wounded in a shootout with the police, are in custody. The shooting happened in an area where residents were celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Officers were nearby at around 2:30 pm local time when they heard about 30 gunshots being fired, said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
Police said that they saw two groups firing at each other. Utter mishap happened when during the shooting, an officer approached a 15- year-old boy, who, according to investigators, fired at the officer. The officer returned fire and hit the boy.
The scene of the shooting is in the Parkside part of the city at 46th and Wyalusing Avenue during a Ramadan event. At least one Philadelphia Police officer is believed to have fired their weapon.
A heavy police presence has descended on the area near the Philadelphia Masjid, and early reports indicate the shooting may have occurred outside the mosque. Police are seen at the scene and the investigation further continues.
“It’s sad in Philadelphia. It’s sad you can’t even have a celebration without worrying about getting shot.”, says Najah Bey who was present at the celebration when the shooting started. UN Campaign group CAP Gun Violence Prevention said on X: “We’re following reports of a shooting in Philadelphia during an Eid al-Fitr celebration.
“Everyone deserves to be safe and not have to worry about gun violence.” “This is scary because I almost got shot. I was running straight and almost got shot, and I just kept running…”, says a young terrified witness who claims he saw the entire incident unfold before his eyes took a social media platform to share his views.
Local schools have been placed on lockdown.
