PHILADELPHIA, PA – Early Sunday morning, a mass shooting took place in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion district, leading to the deaths of two people and wounding four others. The shooting occurred inside a residence on the 2400 block of Myrtlewood Street that was reportedly operating as an illicit speakeasy.
The victims’ ages ranged from 22 to 53 years old. Upon arrival at the scene, police found a 53-year-old man with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. A 41-year-old man suffering from chest gunshot wounds was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Police discovered a firearm on the 41-year-old victim. A third individual, a 42-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his hand, was transported to the hospital for treatment. He is currently expected to recover.
Shortly after the incident, three other gunshot victims independently arrived at Temple University Hospital. Officials have yet to provide updates on their conditions. These included a 28-year-old man who sustained two gunshot wounds to his leg, a 22-year-old woman struck in the leg, and a 33-year-old woman with two gunshot wounds to her arm.
Authorities estimate at least ten rounds were fired as an unidentified individual or group shot into the front door and a window of the building from the street.
Residents of the area are shocked by the violence. A local woman, who requested anonymity, lamented the drastic changes in her once safe neighborhood of 20 years. She expressed her fear and sadness, equating her once vibrant community to hell.
Philadelphia police are still conducting their investigation. There have been no arrests, and a motive for the shooting remains unclear.