PHILADELPHIA, PA – A terrifying incident erupted in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon when eight school students were shot while awaiting a SEPTA bus. Amid the hail of bullets, one student is battling critical injuries.
The shooting occurred at about 3 p.m. at the intersection of Rising Sun and Cottman avenues, where Northeast High School students were preparing to board a bus.
Surveillance footage indicates three gunmen exiting a parked car near a Dunkin’ Donuts chain and initiating the gunfire, which targeted the group of waiting students.
Over 30 rounds were fired into the crowd, striking eight students- all aged 15 to 17. Sources reveal that there is a critical injury case- a 16-year-old boy who was shot nine times in the torso. The remaining victims, though suffering from gunshot wounds to various body parts, have been reported to be in stable condition.
The attackers, believed to have been in a dark blue Hyundai, are yet to be apprehended. This incident adds to the recent alarming trend of violence centering on SEPTA buses or bus stops within the city.
Expressing his concern, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel referred to the grim reality of recurring juvenile shootings in the past three days. Echoing similar sentiments, Mayor Cherelle Parker assured that the city authorities are resolute on curbing such episodes of violence and ensuring citizen safety.