Man Who Called for Gunmen in Quadruple Shooting Arrested: Police

Four people, including three innocent bystanders, were struck after gunmen opened fire in North Philadelphia.

The man who police say started a fight that led to a quadruple shooting in North Philadelphia is now in custody.

Investigators say 43-year-old Leonard Hampton got into an argument with his 23-year-old neighbor on the 4700 block of Tampa Street around 11:45 p.m. Saturday. Hampton allegedly called for someone to "take care of business," according to investigators. That's when, police say, a group of three 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 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 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.

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

Robert Ramos, the man's father-in-law, says he's had trouble explaining what happened to his 6-year-old granddaughter.

"[[She says]]'where's daddy? I want to talk to my daddy,'" Ramos said. "Right now you're not safe anywhere. You go to the corner store and you don't know if you're going to come back to your house." 

Police say the suspects fled in a large silver Chrysler.

Hampton was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and other related offenses. Sources tell NBC10 Hampton is not cooperating with the investigation. Meanwhile, the men who actually fired the shots are still on the loose.

"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."

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

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