NORTH PHILADELPHIA — A joyful graduation celebration turned into a horrifying night of violence after a quadruple shooting took place late Thursday evening in the 2300 block of North Lambert Street, leaving four people — including two young children — in critical condition.
The shooting occurred just before 9:30 p.m. during what neighbors described as a close-knit outdoor gathering to celebrate a family member’s academic achievement. Gunfire erupted without warning, sending attendees scrambling for safety and leaving a 13-year-old girl, her 11-year-old brother, their 36-year-old mother, and a male family friend all gravely injured.
Victims and Injuries
According to Philadelphia police, the victims include:
- A 13-year-old girl: shot in the abdomen
- An 11-year-old boy: shot in the arm, leg, and abdomen
- Their 36-year-old mother: shot in the back
- An adult male family friend: shot twice in the arm
All four victims were rushed to Temple University Hospital, where they remain in critical condition as of Friday morning.
The relationship between the victims and their involvement in the gathering has not been fully detailed, but police believe the two children are siblings and that the adult woman is their mother. The man’s connection to the family has not yet been clarified, though it is believed he is known to them.
What Happened: A Timeline
Police Chief Inspector Scott Small provided chilling insight into the shooting, supported by surveillance footage recovered from the area.
According to Small, a single gunman opened fire from the intersection of Dauphin and Lambert Streets, approximately 40 feet away from the party. At least 10 shots were fired in rapid succession into the crowd of partygoers, hitting the four victims seemingly at random.
Surveillance video captured the suspected shooter fleeing the scene immediately after the attack. He was last seen heading eastbound on Dauphin Street, wearing dark or all-black clothing and light-colored (possibly white) sneakers.
Investigators believe the shooter may have specifically targeted the party but have not identified a clear motive. Police are working to enhance the available footage and gather more from nearby residences and businesses in hopes of tracking the suspect’s movements.
A Pattern of Gun Violence
This incident comes just hours after a double shooting in the Hunting Park area, where a man and woman sitting in a car were both shot — the man critically. The frequency of these shootings is reigniting urgent calls for action in a city already grappling with gun violence at epidemic levels.
Chief Small emphasized the gravity of the situation:
“It’s deeply disturbing to see children gunned down during what should have been a time of celebration. These are the very communities we are working to protect, and we urge anyone with information to come forward.”
Community Reaction and Next Steps
As police continue to search for the shooter,
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