Philadelphia Police say motives behind a number of shootings over the weekend vary from case to case. But they say the driving factor behind the violence is retaliation to previous shootings. NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke to a community member in mourning.
A gunman killed a young man and a teenager and injured three others in a quintuple shooting in North Philadelphia Sunday afternoon as part of a violent Mother's Day in the city.
The shooting occurred on the 100 block of East Albanus Street at 4:18 p.m. A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy who were sitting on a porch were both shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene.
A 22-year-old man was also shot once in the right thigh, a second 22-year-old man was shot five times throughout the body and a 21-year-old man was shot once in the left ankle. The three victims were taken to Einstein Hospital and placed in stable condition.
No arrests have been made.
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"For it to happen on Mother's Day, for two mothers to lose their sons on Mother's Day, it's too much," Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Robin Wimberly said. "And we as a community, as a city of Philadelphia have to come together and figure out what we're going to do to combat this. Because we can't continue to deal with this."
The shooting was one of several that occurred in Philadelphia on Mother's Day. In total, at least 16 people were shot and four died.
At 12:30 a.m., a gunman opened fire at a 37-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman on 54th Street and Woodland Avenue. The man was shot once in the chest and three times in the groin. The woman was shot once in the left shoulder. Both victims were taken to Presbyterian Hospital and placed in stable condition.
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A man was shot in the left leg on the 2600 block of Felton Street around 1 p.m. That man is in stable condition and an arrest was made following a barricade situation.
A 28-year-old man was shot twice in the right leg and once in the left leg on the 600 block of East Wishart Street at 1:09 p.m. He was taken to Temple University Hospital where he is currently in critical condition.
At 4:32 p.m., a 34-year-old man was shot several times on the 2200 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue. He was taken to Temple University Hospital. Officials have not yet revealed his condition.
Then, shortly before midnight, three people were shot at a corner store at G Street and E Allegheny Avenue in Kensington. A 26-year-old man who was standing in the doorway was killed while two women inside were hurt, police said.
As of the end of Sunday, there have been 183 homicides in Philadelphia, up 34% from the same time last year, which was one of the most violent years in the city’s recent 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 addressed the weekend violence in a statement on Sunday.
"I'm devastated by the unspeakable violence that occurred this weekend across our city," Kenney wrote. "My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this tragic time, and I want all Philadelphians to know that our Administration does not take this issue lightly. No priority is greater for us than reducing violence and creating a safer and more just city for us all."
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.
