PHILADELPHIA, PA – An alarming incident unfolded early Saturday morning at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center when a driver, having transported a gunshot victim to the facility, struck the injured man and three nurses before fleeing the scene. The Philadelphia police reported that the driver, operating a silver Jeep, left the gunshot victim at the ambulance bay around 4:30 a.m. before unexpectedly driving into the group of people.
The 28-year-old shooting victim and three nurses- a 37-year-old man, a 51-year-old man, and a 36-year-old man- were all impacted by the vehicle. All four individuals are receiving medical attention at the same hospital where the nurses work. The youngest nurse is currently listed in critical condition.
Philadelphia authorities have launched a search for the driver, who is believed to be in his early 20s, as well as for the vehicle involved. Citizens with potential information are urged to contact the police department’s tip line.
The gunshot victim is believed to have sustained his injuries the prior night on the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue, a mere ten-minute drive from the hospital. The exact circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation by the police.
City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier expressed her distress over the incident, acknowledging the bravery and dedication of the emergency room staff. She emphasized the essential role Penn Presbyterian plays as West Philadelphia’s only Level 1 trauma center, where healthcare workers are continuously confronting the realities of gun violence.
A Penn Medicine spokesperson provided insight into the impact of the event on the hospital community, stressing the profound effect of violence on healthcare providers. They praised the resilience of medical staff who persisted in treating patients in the face of adversity, even as their own colleagues were harmed.
The shooting victim’s condition remains critical, and he is suspected to have sustained a head injury due to being struck by the vehicle. For several hours following the incident, the ambulance bay was cordoned off as a crime scene but was reopened later that morning.