A stray bullet fired during a shootout over a Northeast Philadelphia car break in hit a daycare that had children inside. NBC10’s Matt DeLucia has more.
A bullet went through the window of a Philadelphia day care during a shootout between an armed man and an armed thief who was trying to steal his car, police said.
The incident occurred near the Lawncrest Rec Center and a day care on Rising Sun Avenue and Comly Street on Thursday shortly before 5:30 p.m. Elizabeth C., who was visiting her mother at the time, told NBC10 she noticed about three teenagers trying to break into a parked car when the vehicle's owner spotted them.
“Breaking into the car while the owner was walking from the deli,” she said. “And he saw them and he was like, ‘What ya’ll doing?’ They said, ‘We’re taking your car, like it or not.’ And he just pulled the gun out. Shot a couple times. It got jammed up and they just started shooting at each other.”
Police said the owner of the car -- who has a legal permit to carry -- and at least one of the car thieves pulled out their weapons and fired at each other. In all, 27 shots were fired, investigators said.
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"My car and my brother's car got shot several times and his truck over there got shot several times," Elizabeth C. said. "Everything happened like in the flash of a minute. I got a grandson in the house. Thank God everybody just ducked to the floor and just ran up the steps because you know it's dangerous."
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The owner of the car was not hurt during the gun battle and the thieves fled the scene, according to investigators. Police believe at least one of the thieves was shot.
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"We also found a small amount of blood at the scene," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. "So we believe that there is a shooting victim. But at this time no one has showed up at the hospital."
On Friday morning, police officials said a few hours later a man suffering from a gunshot injury showed up at a nearby hospital. Police are currently investigating to find out if this individual is connected to this incident.
During the gun battle, a bullet went through the window of the day care while five children between the ages of two and four as well as five employees were inside. The bullet traveled about 30 feet through the room and struck a wall. Fortunately, no one inside was hurt.
"You can imagine they were very shaken up," Small said. "They were very scared because the bullet went through the window and went over their heads and lodged into the wall."
Police also said teenagers were playing sports at the rec center at the time of the shooting and heard the gunshots. None of the teens were hurt however.
Police have not yet revealed if the stray bullet that struck the day care came from the car owner or the thief. They are searching through surveillance video and interviewing witnesses as well as the car owner who is cooperating with the investigation.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
