Multiple nurses are injured after being hit by a vehicle outside Penn Presbyterian Medical Center while trying to help a gunshot victim, police said.
According to Philadelphia Police Lt. Shaun Butts, around 4 a.m. Saturday, someone driving a silver Jeep Cherokee was dropping off a gunshot victim -- a 28-year-old man -- at the hospital's emergency entrance located at 3900 Poweltown Ave.
Three nurses attempted to provide first aid to the man, and that was when the Jeep struck them all and took off.
A spokesperson for Penn Medicine released a statement regarding the incident, stating that one nurse is in critical condition, and two other nurses are in stable condition.
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The statement read in part:
"One nurse is hospitalized in critical condition and two others also received treatment for injuries. In a workplace where teams are devoted to caring for others, this incident is devastating to our staff, and is a reminder of the tragic, far-reaching toll of gun violence on entire communities. Violence against healthcare workers harms us all, and is a corrosive, unacceptable threat which our staff must cope with on a daily basis. Our heroic staff continued working to save the gunshot victim and care for all our other patients even as their own colleagues were suffering and being treated. We are providing support resources for them and the injured nurses’ families, and fully cooperating with the Philadelphia Police as they investigate."
Police identify the nurses as:
- A 37-year-old man, who suffered injuries to his legs and is listed in stable condition.
- A 51-year-old man, who suffered injuries to his head and back and is listed in stable condition.
- A 36-year-old man, who suffered facial injuries and internal bleeding. He is listed in critical condition.
The gunshot victim -- who was shot multiple times at the 1300 block of Belmont Ave. -- is now hospitalized. He also suffered an additional head injury as the Jeep fled the scene, according to police.
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The shooting happened right in front of Inquiry Charter School and Compass Self Storage. NBC10 was on the scene as detectives were combing through dozens of evidence markers, including at least 40 that were shell casings.
Officers had the entrance to the emergency center blocked off for hours while they investigated. A blood-stained shirt could be seen lying by the front doors and another vehicle with its back windows shot out was towed from the scene.
Police said they are actively searching for the Jeep and its driver. Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the crash is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department's tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier released a statement regarding this issues saying in part:
“I am horrorstruck to hear that someone drove their car into three Penn Presbyterian Medical Center emergency department nurses after dropping off a gunshot victim. I am praying that all three nurses make a full and speedy recovery, most especially the one who remains in critical condition. I also commend the emergency room team for continuing to care for their patients while dealing with this traumatic incident.
“As West Philly's only adult Level 1 Trauma Center, the nurses and staff at Penn Presbyterian are on the front lines of the gun violence crisis. Every day they come face-to-face with gruesome pain and suffering to care for us during the most traumatic moments of our lives. It is unfathomable to me that someone would drive their car into our neighbors charged with healing.
“I spoke to Penn Medicine to offer my full support. I urge law enforcement to bring the person accountable for this cruel and shameful act to justice.”
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
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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