Gunmen opened fire at a crowd in North Philly, killing a father and injuring four others, including a 5-year-old boy. As police search for the suspects, loved ones of the victim are speaking out.
A man was killed and four people, including a 5-year-old boy, were hurt after gunmen fired at least 41 shots into a crowd in North Philadelphia late Saturday night.
“Everybody was just outside enjoying the nice weather,” Philadelphia Police Capt. Frank Palumbo said.
Suddenly a group of four to five gunmen arrived and fired shots from across the street at North 20th Street and Susquehanna Avenue Saturday night just after 11.
Bullets struck four men and a 5-year-old boy.
One of the men, identified as Kameron Gilfillian, 21, died from his injuries. Police say he was the intended target of the gunmen while the other four were innocent bystanders.
The boy was struck in the knee while the other three victims were struck in the chest, hip and leg.
“One officer quickly grabbed the 5-year-old child who was shot in the knee,” Palumbo said.
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The boy was rushed to St. Christopher’s for Children.
“Fortunately he is going to be fine," Palumbo said.
The boy and two of the men were released from the hospital. One survivor remains in the hospital in critical condition.
At least four men in hoodies could be seen running from the scene following the shooting, police said.
“They deliberately fired into the group,” Palumbo said.
While police say Gilfillian was the intended target, they have not revealed a motive or a detailed description.
Kelly Thompson, Gilfillian's mother, told NBC10 her son worked at the post office and was also a high school basketball standout at the School of the Future.
"He did not deserve to be gunned down like that," Thompson said. "That was just ridiculous."
Gilfillian was also the father of a 3-year-old boy. Thompson had a message for the person or people responsible for her son's death.
"You took him from his son and you took him from me and I just want you to turn yourself in if you want to do the right thing," Thompson said.
If you have any information on the shooting, please call Philadelphia Police.
