Three Dead After Multiple Active Shooters Open Fire Into Philadelphia Crowd
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The latest mass shooting in the US has killed three and seen 14 people shot, according to police.
The shooting took place on the 200 block of South Street, not far from where celebrations were taking place for the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia's first Gay Pride Day.
Police on patrol heard gunfire and sprang into action on Saturday (June 4).
Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace confirmed that several active shooters were spotted by police firing into a crowd.
"There were hundreds of individuals just enjoying South Street, as they do every single weekend, when the shooting broke out," as per the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Saturday night in Philadelphia. A mass shooting on 4th & South Street with reports of nearly a dozen people shot. I’m on scene where police have cordoned off the popular weekend strip, a trail of what appears to be blood snaking along the sidewalk in front of a Rita’s Water Ice. pic.twitter.com/mkUoTvgy2I
— Max M. Marin (@MaxMMarin) June 5, 2022
One police officer at the scene fired at one of the suspects.
The shooter reportedly sustained a gunshot wound, however it is unclear if this was the result of the officer's gunfire.
The armed suspect then fled the scene, dropping their weapon in the process.
Police also recovered two semi-automatic handguns, including one with an extended magazine, from the scene.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said that shootings occurred after a possible 'physical altercation', according to CNN.
Philadelphia Police took to social media to warn locals to stay away from the area as the incident unfolded.
The post read: "*Alert* Emergency personnel are responding to a shooting incident in the area of 3rd and South Streets. Several people have been injured. Please avoid the area."
Eyewitness Joe Smith told the Inquirer that he heard screams erupting just before midnight.
"Once it started I didn’t think it was going to stop. There was guttural screaming. I just heard screams," the 23-year-old said.
Of the three that have died, one has been confirmed to be a 22-year-old man and another a 25-year-old woman, according to the Inquirer.
Seven of the wounded have been taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
*Alert* Emergency personnel are responding to a shooting incident in the area of 3rd and South Streets. Several people have been injured. Please avoid the area.
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) June 5, 2022
Five others, including the suspect that was shot, were taken to Pennsylvania Hospital.
The Philadelphia shooting is the latest attack in the wake of shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Tusla where 35 people have been killed in the three shootings.
The string of mass shootings have sparked renewed calls for gun reform in the US.
Only days ago neighbouring state New York became the first state to enact tighter gun legislation in the wake of devastating back-to-back shootings.
On May 14, in Buffalo, New York, an 18-year-old gunman allegedly opened fire at a supermarket killing 10 black people. He now faces 25 charges including a domestic terrorism charge.
In Uvalde, Texas, a lone gunman stormed Robb Elementary School and opened fire, killing 19 students and two teachers on 24 May.
On Wednesday (June 1), four people were killed at St Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma when a gunman armed with a rifle walked into the hospital.
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