A bullet grazed a 10-year-old girl playing on a playground after gunfire erupted in a neighborhood near the Philadelphia Zoo Wednesday afternoon.
Bullets struck two other people as well after a gunman opened fire following an argument at a corner store near 39th and Poplar streets shortly after noon, said Philadelphia Police.
The shooter continued to fire, more than 20 times in total, as his victims tried to flee, said Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker.
A bullet grazed the arm of the girl, who was playing at a playground, which is across the train tracks from the Philadelphia Zoo, about a block away. Medics rushed her to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in stable condition, said Philadelphia Police.
"There should be no time anywhere in a city when a 10-year-old playing in a playground should be shot by a bullet, they should feel safe in that environment," said Walker.
Walker said it's fortunate no other children playing outside on a nice day were shot.
The shooting left a 36-year-old man in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the right ankle and a 20-year-old man in stable condition with gunshot wounds to his left arm and right foot.
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The Philadelphia Zoo said it wasn't aware of the shooting since it didn't happen on their grounds or at any adjacent parking lots.
Walker believed the shooter is known by people in the neighborhood. He asked anyone with information to contact Philadelphia Police.
