Philadelphia

Gunman Kills Man, Injures 3 Others After Firing Into Crowd During Memorial for Shooting Victim

The four victims were on 55th Street and Kingsessing Avenue when a gunman opened fire.

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A gunman killed a man and injured three others after firing into a crowd during a memorial for a shooting victim who died last year in Southwest Philadelphia.

Police said eight to ten people were attending a memorial on 55th Street and Kingsessing Avenue around 4:15 p.m. for a person who had been shot and killed last year. Suddenly a gunman walked up to the crowd and opened fire. Police said another man then pulled out a gun and fired back at the gunman who fled the scene.

A 20-year-old man was shot 11 times throughout his body. He was taken to the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 4:36 p.m.

A 29-year-old man was shot five times and is currently in critical but stable condition. A 23-year-old man was shot in the left abdomen, right knee and left hand while a 19-year-old man was shot once in the left elbow. They were both taken to Penn Presbyterian in stable condition.

No arrests have been made and a weapon has not been recovered. Police said surveillance videos captured the shooting.

The initial gunman was wearing a dark-hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants with white stripes and black and white sneakers, according to investigators. Police also said the man who fired back at the shooter was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and dark sweatpants.

Police are currently speaking with witnesses and analyzing the surveillance video.

The quadruple shooting occurred just two days after three people were killed and five others hurt in six separate shootings in Philadelphia on Monday.

As of Tuesday night, there have been 190 homicides in the city, up 39% from the same time last year which ultimately was one of the most violent years in Philadelphia's history.

Last month, federal officials announced an “all-hands-on-deck” approach that would add resources to prosecute local gun crimes. Former Mayor Ed Rendell even floated the idea of bringing back retired police officers.

Mayor Jim Kenney recently proposed $18.7 million in additional funding for anti-violence initiatives for the city's next fiscal year.

"Over five years, we're planning to increase our investment in proven violence reduction strategies by $70 million," he wrote.

More details on the city's anti-violence plan can be found here.

There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

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