Philadelphia

10 Hurt After Men With Shotgun Open Fire on Father's Day Block Party in West Philadelphia

Ten people, including a 1-year-old girl, were injured after two suspects used a shotgun, and possibly a handgun, to open fire during a block party in honor of Father's Day on a West Philadelphia street Saturday night.

The gunfire rang out around 10 p.m. along the 4100 block of Ogden Street.

Witnesses told police that two men opened fire on the block -- at least one had a shotgun. The suspects, according to witnesses, then got into a gold sedan and fired more shots, possibly with a handgun.

"It looks like they just randomly fired down the street and hit anyone in their way," said Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker.

"We just heard shots and I got up, I picked my baby up and I just started running," said Valerie Jones.

  • CLICK HERE to hear more from the Jones family that was nearly torn apart by the mayhem

Investigators said a total of 10 people were struck with birdshot from the shotgun.

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"It was just a terrible situation," said Walker.

Shotgun pellets struck Ashley, a 1-year-old girl, in the neck and chest, said Jones, the girl's mother, who was also shot in the arm.

"I panicked and I just started screaming, 'my baby got shot, my baby got shot,'" said Jones.

Luckily, Ashley was back to sipping on juice boxes a day after the shooting.

Gunfire also struck 11- and 12-year-old boys. All three children were treated at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in stable condition.

The rest of the victims range in age from 22 to 59 -- three women and four men. All the adult victims were also expected to make a full recovery.

The first suspect is described as a man in his 20s with a beard and tattoos on one arm who wore a yellow T-shirt and blue jeans. The second suspect is described as a man who wore dark blue jeans and a black shirt.

Shortly before the group was fired upon, a 21-year-old man was found less than a mile away with multiple gunshot wounds in the torso and head. He was pronounced dead minutes later at a local hospital. Police said the motive for that shooting is unknown, and there was no indication whether it might be connected to the later gunfire.

Southwest Detectives are urging anyone with information on the shootings to call 215-686-3183/84.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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