Philadelphia police fatally shoot gunman who shot at crowd on Emerald Street on Christmas morning, teenager killed

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – A gunman was shot dead by Philadelphia officers in the early hours of Christmas morning after police said he shot at a crowd, killing one teenager and wounding another.

Police say it may all have started from a neighborhood dispute over a parking space.

“Right now we are very early in this investigation. Viously, obviously this is Christmas morning. This is a terrible tragedy. This only speaks to the level of gun violence that continues to exist in our city,” the sergeant said. Philadelphia police. Eric Gripp said.

Two District 24 officers in a police wagon responded to a call around 12:20 a.m. Friday for a nuisance on the 3300 block of Emerald Street in Kensington, according to Gripp.

While officers were at the scene trying to deactivate the disturbance, police said other family members left the house and formed a large crowd on the sidewalk and in the middle of the street.

Police said the group began escalating the situation by pushing and punching each other.

A 43-year-old man pulled a pistol from his waist and fired at the crowd and hit two teenagers aged 15 and 17 in the neck.

The two police officers fired again and hit the suspect in the torso.

“The two police officers from the District 24 wagon discharged the man who was shooting and hit him several times,” Gripp said.

The gunman and the two teenage victims were taken to Temple University Hospital.

The gunman was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The 15-year-old died from his injuries.

The 17-year-old appears in stable condition.

No officers or other civilians were reported injured.

“We simply pray for all involved. We mourn the lost lives, but we are also grateful that our agents are safe this morning,” Gripp said.

The gunman’s weapon was recovered by police.

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This story was updated to show the shooting that took place in Kensington.