Driver Struck in the Head by Stray Bullet in Front of Family, 3 Others Shot

A husband and father of two is fighting for his life after he was struck by a stray bullet in front of his family while driving in North Philadelphia. The man is just one of the four people who were struck by a group of gunmen who police say only had one intended target.

Investigators say the ordeal began around 11:45 p.m. Saturday when two men got into an argument on the 4700 block of Tampa Street. One man then allegedly called for someone to "take care of business," according to investigators. That's when, police say, a group of men pulled up in a large silver Chrysler.

"A bunch of guys get out of the car and begin shooting at the victim who is hit in the leg," said Philadelphia Police Captain George Fuchs.

The intended target, a 23-year-old man, was struck twice, once in each leg. He managed to stumble inside a pizza shop at the corner of Wyoming and Whitaker.

As the shooting occurred, police say two cars traveling down Whitaker unknowingly drove into the gunfire.

"Two cars minding their business on Whitaker and they get struck by gunfire for no reason," Captain Fuchs said. "These guys are firing wildly down the alleyway and couldn't care less who they were going to hit." 

One of the drivers, a 25-year-old father of two, was struck in the head. Police say the victim's wife, 6-month-old baby and 6-year-old child were all inside the car at the time of the shooting.

In the second car, a bullet struck a 35-year-old driver as well as a 44-year-old passenger.

"One bullet went through the car window, the one victim's neck and out to the other passenger," Captain Fuchs said.

The 25-year-old father was taken to Temple University Hospital where he is currently in extremely critical condition.

The 35-year-old driver and 44-year-old passenger were also taken to Temple where they are both in stable condition.

The 23-year-old man was taken to Einstein Hospital where he is in stable condition but also reportedly not cooperating with police.

Police say the suspects fled in a large silver Chrysler. They have not yet released a description of the suspects but are currently looking at surveillance video.

"We do have prior surveillance in the vicinity of the shooting," Captain Fuchs said. "Our detectives are all over it, trying to find if the cameras captured the actual shooters."

Police interviewed four witnesses and questioned two men. No charges have been filed however.

If you have any information on this incident, please call Philadelphia Police.

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