Neighbor of house party where five people shot: ‘I’m moving right back’ to Jersey

Neighbors milling around the house on the 2900 block of West Thompson Street in Brewerytown where gunfire erupted during a birthday party early this morning, wounding five people, were reluctant to give their names, but had plenty to say.

“They were innocent kids that were shot,” one woman said. “Just because someone’s hanging on the corner doesn’t mean they are criminals. I know all of these people and they have jobs.”

A gunman fired into the crowded house around 2:30 a.m., wounding three men and two women. All but one of the victims are in stable or guarded condition.

“I just moved here from New Jersey,” said another neighbor, who also declined to give her name. She said she called 911 when she was awoken by gunshots – at least five or six, by her estimation. “I’m moving right back,” she said. “As soon as possible, whatever I can find.” She has only lived in the neighborhood for four months, but said the tragedy has stripped her of any sense of security. “I worry about my kids – I have an 18-year-old, a 17-year-old and a 5-year-old here.”

One 24-year-old man this morning was shot in the thigh and groin. A
second man, 25, and a woman, also 25, were each shot in the thigh. All
are in stable condition at Hahnemann University Hospital. A fourth victim, a 25-year-old woman, was shot in the buttocks and foot
and is in guarded condition at Temple University Hospital and a fifth
person, a 25-year-old man, was shot in the abdomen and was transferred
from St. Joseph’s Hospital to Temple University Hospital, where he is in
critical condition.

“It was bad. It was really bad,” the neighbor said. “They had a party, then too many noise and stuff. I heard shots and then there were a lot of people running.”

She said that in all her years, she has never experienced such terror. “This is my first time going through this,” she said. “I’m kind of afraid. It was scary. It was right next to my house and my kids. I really don’t feel safe here.”

But another resident contended that the events were part of a larger plan and residents of the neighborhood have faith in the wisdom of a higher power. “Just write that this is a block that loves God,” she said.