PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A 9-year-old boy was shot and a man was fatally shot following a shooting in North Philadelphia Friday night. Police said the shooting occurred around 6:19 p.m. in the 600 block of North 12th Street.
On Friday evening, police cordoned off North 12th Street and Fairmont Avenue in North Philadelphia. Several shell casings lay on the ground and a car with bullet holes in it could be seen.
“The car was under a fair amount of fire,” said Philadelphia Police Inspector DF Pace.
Police said a man in his 30s was shot. A 9-year-old was shot in the leg and is in stable condition at Jefferson Hospital. Neighborhood residents heard the gunshots.
“When I heard the shots. I heard three and then maybe eight to ten,” said block leader Regina Farrell. “I can’t panic. I have to make sure my neighbors are OK and I have to see if anyone needs help. Then I can panic later.”
According to police, it all started when a black Jeep Cherokee stopped and at least two gunmen shot at a man in the street. Investigators said the man ran and took cover in a nearby car that also had its engine running.
“It’s unclear whether he knew the people in the vehicle or not, but he had the presence of mind to run into the vehicle to avoid being shot,” Pace said. “In fact, he drew gunfire into a vehicle that contained an adult male and a nine-year-old child.”
“We don’t believe the child was the target. Tragically, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Pace said.
According to police, the occupants of the car ran into a house after the shooting and called for help. Investigators said they did indeed find a gun in the house.
Farrell said she has spoken to family members of the victims and offered them support and help to deal with trauma. She also said the violence must stop.
“I go home feeling reassured because I am not living in fear, because you cannot live like that. Am I happy with the circumstances? No, because we have to improve,” Farrell said.
Police did not release a motive for the shooting. They said they are speaking to witnesses and hope to use video footage from the area to aid their investigation.
