Authorities in Pennsylvania are searching for five suspects after a shooting at a basketball court in North Philadelphia left three people dead and one critically injured over the weekend.
The shooting took place shortly before 6 p.m. on Aug. 11 when five males began firing at a group of people gathered outside the 8th and Diamond Playground along the 2000 block of North Eighth Street, police said.
Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner James Kelly told CBS News Philadelphia that nearby homes were hit by some of the gunfire. He also noted that no children were playing on the court at the time of the incident.
“The kids were on the other side of the fence playing in the street,” Mr. Kelly said. “But some of those rounds hit houses across the street. So it’s a tragic situation, but no young children got hit.”
Authorities identified the two victims who were pronounced dead after the shooting as Nyreese Moore, 22, and Naasir Folk, 24. Both men had been shot in the head.
A 21-year-old man, identified as Isiah Williams of Lawncrest, was shot in the head, leg, and knee. He was taken to Temple Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 12 shortly before 10 p.m.
The fourth victim, also a male in his early 20s, was shot twice in the abdomen. He was taken to hospital where he is described as being in critical condition.
Police said they recovered at least 50 spent shell casings from three different-caliber firearms on the basketball courts.
In addition, Mr. Kelly said investigators believe the attack was targeted.
“It does seem like they had a specific group or person they were going out to shoot,” he said.
Mayor Condemns Violence After Shootings
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was “horrified” by the quadruple shooting and that he was “praying for the victims as well as their families and loved ones.”
“Police are investigating this senseless act of violence,” Mr. Kenney said. “The City offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction for shootings near school, recreation center, or library.”
The mayor noted that anyone can share an anonymous tip by calling 215-686-8477.
Mr. Kenney also said that officials have installed more than 100 new security cameras around city recreation centers to deter crime and violence.
In a statement to WPVI-TV, the mayor said: “We will continue to work with the police department and parks and recreation on security, prevention, and surveillance to reduce and respond to crime in and around recreation centers. We do this for the safety of residents, program participants, and staff.”