Two Dead In U.S Memorial Day Shooting
At least two people were killed and nine others injured late Monday in a mass shooting that shattered Memorial Day celebrations in Philadelphia.
Police say the gunfire erupted around 10:30 p.m. local time near Lemon Hill Drive and Sedgley Drive in Fairmount Park, where hundreds had gathered for holiday festivities.
According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, a man and a woman lost their lives, while three of the injured victims were teenagers aged 15, 16, and 17. They also revealed that all nine injured individuals are currently in stable condition.
“This is significant,” Bethel said during an early Tuesday briefing.
“This is Memorial Day, where we honour those who gave their lives in war. And yet, we have this tragic loss of life on our streets,” he added.
ABC News reports that multiple shots were fired into the crowd, suggesting the possible use of more than one weapon. Investigators are reviewing bullets to determine if a modified firearm, possibly with a switch enabling automatic fire, was involved.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with one telling FOX 29 that up to 1,000 people were at a cookout when the shots rang out.
“Everybody is scared,” said one person. “I see two people drop, that’s it,” added another.
Police said no arrests have been made, no weapons recovered, and no suspects publicly identified. They continue to search the scene and examine social media footage for leads.
Fairmount Park was sealed off overnight as police combed the area. An update from law enforcement is expected later Tuesday.
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, is a solemn national holiday honouring U.S. military personnel who died in service.
The Philadelphia shooting adds to a grim string of recent firearm-related tragedies across the U.S.
Just days earlier, multiple people were injured in a shooting during a high school graduation in Louisiana. Earlier in May, a shooting at an Arkansas grocery store left three dead and several wounded.
The Fairmount Park incident highlights growing concerns over public safety at large gatherings and the easy access to high-powered and modified firearms across the country.
Two Dead In U.S Memorial Day Shooting is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
