A shooting incident at a large Eid al-Fitr celebration in West Philadelphia left three people injured and five individuals, including an armed teenager shot by a police officer, in custody on Wednesday afternoon, according to investigators.
Around 1,000 people had gathered at Clara Muhammad Square on 47th Street and Wyalusing Avenue at approximately 2:30 p.m. to commemorate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Philadelphia Masjid, a local mosque, is situated nearby.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated that officers assigned to the event were issuing tickets to cars parked at a nearby gas station when they heard approximately 30 gunshots.
The officers observed two groups shooting at each other in the park, according to Bethel.
“I walked through this event, and we know that the majority, 99 percent of the individuals at this event, are good people who wanted to have a good time,” Bethel said. “Once again, we have young people engaging in gunfire who have destroyed the sanctity of what was happening.”
Responding officers then spotted three men and a woman fleeing the scene. The four individuals were stopped by the officers, who recovered four weapons, according to investigators.
Meanwhile, a police officer encountered a 15-year-old boy armed with a gun, Bethel said.
The officer shot the teenager in the left arm and leg, police reported. Bethel stated that it is currently unclear if the teenager initially fired at the officer, but police recovered his weapon.
A man in his twenties, identified by a family member as Nhashon Tawfiq Richards, was also shot in the stomach, while a teenager was shot in the hands during the incident, Bethel added.
The 15-year-old, Richards, and the other teenager were all transported to the hospital and are currently listed in stable condition, according to officials.
“We’re very, very fortunate today that we did not have more individuals shot or killed,” Bethel said. “This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community safety and order. We will continue to work with the community to maintain a safe and harmonious environment.”
The police are currently conducting a further investigation into the shooting to determine the exact cause and motive. Meanwhile, authorities have urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unconfirmed information to avoid causing unnecessary panic in the community.
This incident has once again drawn attention to the issues of community policing and public safety. The police have stated that they will enhance security measures for similar large-scale events to ensure the safety of citizens and the smooth conduct of activities. Additionally, they have reminded citizens to prioritize their personal safety and abide by relevant regulations and orders when attending such events.
