Eight Philadelphia high school students were shot and wounded as they waited for a public bus after school on Wednesday, leaving one in critical condition, according to details from the Philadelphia Police Department obtained by HNGN.
The incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. near the intersection of Cottman and Rising Sun avenues, as students from Northeast High School were waiting for a city bus to go home in the Burholme neighborhood. At that time, three individuals exited a car and started shooting at the students.
Philadephia Bus Stop Shooting Injures 8 Teens
At 2:59 p.m., police responded to numerous 911 calls reporting the mass shooting near Dunkin Donuts at 7300 Rising Sun Avenue. Upon arrival, they found approximately eight victims with gunshot wounds at the scene. The victims, all juveniles, were quickly transported to local hospitals for treatment.
According to the Philadelphia Police, the victims' ages range from 15 to 17 years old. A source from HNGN reported that one victim sustained nine gunshot wounds and is currently in critical condition, while other victims, who suffered various gunshot wounds, are listed in stable condition.
During the shooting, at least 30 shots were fired, and two SEPTA buses were struck by gunfire. Fortunately, no passengers or employees on the buses were injured.
The suspects, described as three shooters and a driver who fled the scene in a dark blue Hyundai sedan with paper tags, are still at large. All of them, masked, were sighted crossing the Tookany Creek Bridge headed towards Cheltenham Township, as reported by 6abc Digital.
Philadelphia Faces Escalating Gun Violence
This shooting marks the latest in a series of recent gun violence incidents in Philadelphia. Over the past three days, including this incident, a total of 11 young people have been shot while going to and from school in the city.
Just two days prior to this incident, another shooting occurred at a SEPTA bus stop in another area of the city, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old and injuries to four others. The victim, identified as Dayemen Taylor, was a student at Imhotep Institute Charter High School and was fatally shot near the school.
In response to the recent surge in violence, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated that additional resources will be deployed across the city to address the shootings and determine if there are any connections between them.
"It's hard to sit here in three days and have 11 juveniles shot who are going and coming from school," Bethel said during a press conference. "The cowardly acts that we've seen over the last three days are unacceptable."
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding this shooting or any other incidents to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. They can contact 911 immediately or submit anonymous tips to 215-686-TIPS.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.
