Weeks after a shooting shattered the peace at an Eid al-Fitr event in West Philadelphia and left three people injured, as well as a young man and four teenagers in custody, Philadelphia's district attorney, police commissioner and sheriff addressed the investigation.
Officials said that as the investigation continued, forensics of fire cartridge casing helped reveal that more individuals were involved in the shooting.
"I suggest that you turn yourself in now," William Fritze of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said.
On April 10, hundreds of people were attending a festival at Clara Muhammad Square on 4700 Wyalusing Avenue in celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holiday Ramadan.
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There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
Due to the large gathering, multiple vehicles were parked on private property inside a gas station that was adjacent to the park, police said. The owner of the gas station requested police to issue parking tickets to the unauthorized vehicles that were parked there, according to investigators.
As officers issued parking violations, they heard several gunshots coming from the park. The officers ran toward the gunfire and spotted several people armed with weapons, police said.
Officer Diamond Jaynes, 32, then pulled out her weapon and fired at a 15-year-old boy on the 1000 block of North 48th Street, shooting him in the left shoulder and left leg. Police said the teen was armed with an AR-style pistol that they later recovered. Officer Jaynes secured the teen’s weapon and then took him to the hospital for treatment, according to investigators.
Shooting at Eid al-Fitr event
A 23-year-old man was also shot in the stomach while another 15-year-old boy was grazed in the finger during the incident, authorities said.
In addition to the 15-year-old who was shot by Jaynes, police also arrested 21-year-old Kahbir Oglesby-Hicks, two 16-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl. They also recovered five weapons -- a rifle and four 9MM handguns, investigators said. A sixth weapon, a .handgun, was also recovered from the road though it wasn't clear who the weapon belonged to.
"Those juveniles will be charged as adults," said Marianne Aguilar of the Philadelphia District Atorrney's Office.
Jaynes – a 6-year police veteran who assigned to the 16th District – was put on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, which is the protocol for officer-involved shootings.
The father of the 23-year-old victim spoke with NBC10 after the shooting.
"I’m tired of all the violence and the nonsense that’s going on. We can do better as a people, as all Homo sapiens, human beings," Corey Taylor said. "That we need to do better, love one another and we all can live in prosperity, peace and harmony and stop hating one another. Over what someone else got or dislike over a female or some type of hood affiliation or whatever. It’s stupid. And it’s nonsense. People’s lives are priceless. Appreciate and value your life. I love my son. I love my children. I love society. Anyone can get their life together. Anyone can!"
On Saturday, a community healing event will take place at the same spot where the incident took place. Officials said they would beef up security.
"It will be the safest event the community has ever been to," said Philadelphia police commissioner Kevin Bethel.
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