WEST PHILADELPHIA, PA – A mass shooting at a West Philadelphia block party early Sunday left three men dead and another six wounded, according to authorities. Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace confirmed that the victims were all adult males and described the scene of the party that was attended by 100 to 150 people at Alden Street and Girard Avenue.
Two of the deceased, aged 33 and 23, were quickly pronounced dead at the scene and at a nearby hospital, respectively, while a third victim, a 29-year-old man, succumbed to stomach gunshot wounds about an hour later. Initial reports erroneously noted ten victims. This was later corrected to nine people injured.
Inspector Pace stated that the crime scene spread over half a block, where investigators found between 25 to 30 shell casings. Preliminary information suggested multiple shooters were involved, yielding shell casings of more than one caliber.
While no arrests have been made yet, nor suspects have been identified, investigators have recovered a firearm at the scene.
Individuals and community leaders are calling for an end to such incidents of violence. Pastor Carl Day, who has been working for over a decade to curb gun violence in Philadelphia, expressed his dismay over the “barbaric behavior” and “sheer ignorance”, and called for better ways to handle conflicts without detriment to human life. A meeting with activists to discern measures to reduce violence is planned for later in the week.