Two teens died in two separate Memorial Day shootings in Philadelphia – one that happened at a recreation center playground.
Gunfire rang out just after 10 p.m. at 65th Street and Elmwood Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.
“This male was found unconscious on the grounds of the Connell Recreation Center,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Police scooped up the 19-year-old and rushed him to Presbyterian Hospital where he was pronounced dead with at least two gunshot wounds to the chest.
Small said investigators found a bloodied handgun, a cellphone and cash in the grass near the man’s body. Witnesses reported seeing a group of people fleeing the scene in a dark-colored vehicle that went south on 65th Street.
About an hour later, police patrolling in the Strawberry Mansion section of the city heard about half a dozen gunshots ring out along the 2100 block of N 30th Street.
“They found a 19-year-old male collapsed on the highway suffering from a gunshot wound to his head,” said Small.
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Police rushed the man to Temple University Hospital where doctors pronounce him dead.
Surveillance cameras captured two men running from the scene, said investigators.
Small said that investigators found shell casings a good distance away from the gunshot victim so they weren’t sure if the man was targeted or was struck by a stray bullet.
“We don’t know if he’s the intended target,” said Small.
Anyone with information on either shooting is asked to contact Philly police.
