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Fourth of July mass shooting: 14-year-old among 9 shot, 1 killed during pop-up event in Philadelphia
9 hours ago
One person is dead and eight others were injured in a Fourth of July mass shooting during what officials are calling a "pop-up event" in Southwest Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Police say nine people, three juveniles and six adults, were shot near the intersection of 60th Street and Kingsessing Ave. around 11:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, along with other city leaders, gave an update Friday morning about the deadly shooting and their efforts in the community.
Parker said Philadelphia police were tracking the pop-up event, which they said was moving to various locations around the city, including different neighborhoods.
WATCH: Mayor Parker, city leaders hold press conference after Fourth of July mass shooting
1 person is dead and 8 others were injured in a Fourth of July mass shooting during what officials say was a pop-up event in Southwest Philadelphia.
The mayor added that police were also working to disperse at least one large crowd of juveniles that were near the location of the shooting.
While on routine patrol, officers say they found one victim lying on the ground. That person, who has not yet been identified, was shot once in the head and pronounced dead at the hospital.
Additional victims were then discovered by responding officers and are being treated at area hospitals.
Officials said the crime scene spans over two blocks and that there may have been a barbecue going on at the time.
Police said they believe a vehicle had pulled up and began firing at the crowd.
Action News has been told the juveniles who were injured are between 14 and 16 years old.
The surviving victims are said to be in stable condition.
Police have not given a description of any potential suspects, nor released any information on a possible motive. However, Bethel said police are working to identify the vehicle involved.
"At this point, there's no motive whatsoever that we're aware of right now," said Inspector Kpana Massaquoi, with the Philadelphia Police Department.
What is a pop-up event and the trouble that follows
Mayor Parker said it's important for parents to understand what a pop-up event is.
"A pop-up event is an event that is advertised on social media. It's usually a music event, where people see an ad on something like Instagram. And it tells them where to go," Parker said.
The party started in North Philadelphia but was shut down and eventually moved to 58th and Kingsessing Avenue, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
Bethel also pointed out that many of the people who were shot Thursday night are not from the neighborhood.
"They come into these areas unknowing of what's going on, surging together, and ultimately - unfortunately - we're having incidents," Bethel said.
The family identified that victim as Isya Stanley.
"We have a duty to stop these activities and we encourage the parents of these kids to engage," Bethel said, adding that they are also seeing a "blend" of not just juveniles at these gatherings but also younger adults.
Following recent events involving gun violence, including 14 shootings and two homicides, Bethel said the police department will step up its enforcement as juveniles "surge across the city."
He said the police department will continue to work with intervention and prevention methods but emphasized that his job is to enforce and make sure that the community is safe for everyone.
"We have always tried, as an organization, to work with our juveniles. We have always tried to make an environment that is safe for them," Bethel said. "But at some point, we're going to have to take proactive acts and we are there now."
"Parents, we must, must get engaged," Bethel said. "When young people get together and have nothing better to do than get together, these are often times when negative things stem from that."
Authorities continue to search for the person or persons responsible.
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