The weekend crime wave continued through last night, with seven people injured in two shootings in Ogontz and West Philadelphia.
In all, at least 17 people were hospitalized in nine separate incidents between early Saturday morning and Sunday night, a span of less than 48 hours. Four of those victims died – including one man who was stabbed while tending bar in South Philadelphia – and at least three are in critical condition.
In the latest case, three people were shot on the 6000 block of Irving Street in West Philadelphia shortly before 9 p.m. last night during what police said was a possible domestic dispute.
A woman, 24, was shot in the face and is in critical condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a man, 25, was struck in the arm. He is in stable condition.
A third man, 19, was shot multiple times in both shoulders and dropped off at the hospital in a private vehicle, which then sped away. He is also in critical condition.
The shooting occurred mere hours after four people were wounded when gunfire broke out during a basketball game at Kemble Park in Ogontz last night.
The tide of crime rose this weekend just before Mayor Michael Nutter’s planned announcement this afternoon about new public safety funding, both in Philadelphia and nationwide.
He will appear with Attorney General Eric Holder, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and U.S. Justice Department Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Director Bernard Melekian around 2:30 p.m. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
