Three individuals have tragically lost their lives after a shooting incident at a playground in North Philadelphia on Friday. The incident occurred outside the 8th and Diamond Rec Center, where multiple gunmen opened fire during a basketball game. The deceased victims have been identified as Nyreese Moore, 22, Naasir Folk, 24, and Ishiah Williams, 21.
The shooting took place just before 6 p.m. on Friday evening. Witnesses reported hearing what they believed to be automatic or custom firearms. Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner James Kelly stated that local children were not on the court at the time, but that they were playing in the street nearby. Some of the bullets struck houses that were located across the street from the playground.
Law enforcement officials have recovered over 50 shell casings from the scene and are currently reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras. Despite the tragic incident, the playground and rec center will remain open. Police aim to prevent any potential retaliation by maintaining a constant presence in the area. Kelly also emphasized the importance of addressing any conflicts between groups to ensure the safety of the community.
The incident deeply shook residents in the neighborhood. One concerned individual, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed the urgent need for the city to take action to curb the violence. They warned that if the authorities fail to act, community members may take matters into their own hands by patrolling the streets.
No descriptions of the suspects have been released so far. Police believe the victims were targeted, and they are currently searching for four or five suspects.