A Memorial Day celebration turned into tragedy when two people were shot dead and several others wounded in a Pennsylvania park.
Just before 10.30pm Monday evening, multiple rounds of ‘rapid’ gunfire erupted on Lemon Hill Drive in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, Philadelphia police said.
When the firearm erupted during the holiday celebrations, a total of 11 people were struck, including three teenagers – aged 15, 16 and 17 – and an unnamed man and woman, who were killed in the shooting.
An additional victim was taken to the hospital after being hit by a car in the chaos that followed, according to CBS News.
‘This is significant,’ Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said at a media briefing on Tuesday.
‘It’s Memorial Day – a day where we honor those who gave their lives in war,’ he added.
A Memorial Day celebration turned into tragedy when two people were shot dead and several others wounded at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday evening
When the gunfire erupted during the holiday celebrations, a total of 11 people were struck, including three teenagers – aged 15, 16 and 17 – and an unnamed man and woman, who were killed in the shooting
‘So we understand the significance of this event and we will make sure to provide an update later today.’
At this time, no arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered.
However, Bethel clarified that officials believe the weapon used in the devastating tragedy may have been modified with a switch, enabling a semi-automatic Glock pistol to fire like a machine gun, resulting in ‘rapid’ gunfire.
Bethel also added that lighting in the area was inadequate at the time of the shooting.
At around 10.27pm Monday evening, a large crowd at Fairmount Park – gathered to wrap up the long holiday weekend – reported hearing gunshots.
‘They were packing up as this incident unfolded,’ Bethel explained.
Fairmount Park spans roughly 2,000 acres in northern Philadelphia, according to Visit Philadelphia.
Bethel noted that the area is typically popular, even outside of holidays like Memorial Day.
‘It’s not uncommon for us to have large groups of individuals surge into the park,’ Bethel stated.
‘We deal with those on a regular basis,’ he added.
