Three individuals were injured during an Eid al-Fitr celebration in West Philadelphia, attended by approximately 1,000 people, as reported by the police.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the vicinity of 47th and Girard, with around thirty shots fired. Five individuals, including a 15-year-old who was shot in the arm and leg by a responding officer, were taken into custody. According to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, the shooting involved two rival factions.
“When we observe individuals engaging in conflict, they often disregard their surroundings,” Bethel stated. “In this instance, it appears that a confrontation in the park prompted two groups to brandish firearms and open fire.”
Approximately 1,000 people congregated at Clara Muhammad Square on 47th Street and Wyalusing Avenue around 2:30 p.m. to commemorate Eid al-Fitr, signifying the conclusion of the Islamic holy month, Ramadan. The Philadelphia Masjid, a nearby mosque, is situated close to the park.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said officers who were assigned to the event were writing tickets for cars parked at a nearby gas station when they heard about 30 gunshots.
“We can’t make excuses for all these kids,” Bethel stated. “Some of them are actively involved in gunfire, actively seeking to be part of shootings, and as seen today, engage in such behavior. There is zero tolerance for this.”
Police reported that a 22-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach, and a juvenile was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle for a gunshot wound to their hand. Additionally, another 15-year-old was hit by a responding police vehicle, resulting in a fractured leg, as per police reports.
The officers observed two groups at the park shooting at each other, according to Bethel.
“I walked through this event and we know that the majority, 99 percent of the individuals at this event, are good people who wanted to have a good time,” Bethel said.”And once again we have young people engaging in gunfire who just really destroyed the sanctity of what happened.” The responding officers then spotted three men and a woman who were running away from the scene. Those four people were stopped by the officers who recovered four weapons, investigators said.
At the same time, a police officer approached an armed 15-year-old boy, according to Bethel.The officer shot the teen in the left arm and leg, police said. Bethel said it’s unknown at this time if the teen had initially fired at the officer but police recovered his weapon.
“We’re very, very fortunate today that we did not have more individuals shot oranyone killed,” Bethel said.
Blankenburg Elementary School is also located nearby on 4600 Girard Avenue though classes did not take place on Wednesday.
Philadelphia Field Division are both investigating the incident.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also tweeted that the shooting during Eid should always be a time of joy for our Muslim neighbors —and I grieve for every member of the Philadelphia Muslim community whose celebration was shattered by gun violence today.”
