Gunman Shoots Man Outside Philly School and Nearly Strikes Employees Inside, Police Say

A gunman shot a man outside a Philadelphia school and nearly struck three employees who were inside the building Wednesday afternoon, police said.

A 21-year-old man was outside the Heston Elementary School along the 1600 block of North 54th Street around 3:45 p.m. when at least one gunman fired at least 10 shots, according to investigators.

"This is totally unacceptable to fire shots anywhere in the city, especially so close to where school children are," Philadelphia School District spokesperson Monique Braxton said.

The 21-year-old man was shot once in the thigh. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Bullets also went through the window of the school's main office, nearly striking the school secretary and two other employees who were inside.

“She heard the bullets whiz by," Braxton said. "That’s how close it was to her. And two other people were also standing in the office at that time.” 

The shooting occurred 45 minutes after dismissal, according to Braxton, though there were still children inside the building at the time. The school was placed on lockdown before it was later lifted as parents picked up their kids.

No students or staff were injured during the shooting.

Braxton said a prevention and intervention team will be at the school on Thursday to provide counseling to the three employees who were nearly shot as well as other staff and students.

“I would say they’re coping as best they can," Braxton said. "When I walked in they were fighting back tears thinking about what could’ve happened.” 

No arrests have been made and a weapon has not been recovered. Police are searching through surveillance video as the investigation continues.