Eight people were injured Wednesday afternoon in a shooting near a Philadelphia subway station.
The shootings began at approximately 2:15 p.m. near the SEPTA Olney Transportation Center, police confirmed, according to several reports.
Witnesses said people in the area quickly dispersed during the chaotic scene in the city’s Fern Rock section.
The eight victims ranged in age from 17 to 71 years. A 17-year-old girl was shot in the right arm, a 21-year-old man received a blow to the right leg, a 22-year-old man was shot in the back, a 36-year-old woman was shot in the right leg right thigh, a 48-year-old man grazed in the stomach, a 53-year-old man received a blow to the right leg, a 70-year-old man a shot in the thigh and a 71-year-old man receive a shot in the stomach and several times in both legs, according to local media.
On Wednesday, the 71-year-old man was listed in critical condition by officials. The other victims were all stable.
One suspect was reportedly arrested and officials recovered two firearms. Police have not disclosed the identity of the suspect.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney (D) called the shooting “another tragic example of the epidemic of cruel, outrageous and unacceptable armed violence that threatens the lives and safety of our fellow Philadelphians.”
“I am just sick. I refuse to accept this emergency situation normally. We must stand together with a clear and united moral voice against the evil act of violence. People have the right to travel between work and home, and around the city, without fear of being shot and possibly killed for reckless and indiscriminate shooting, ”Kenney said in a statement.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said officials were still working to determine if there were multiple shooters.
“It’s very cheeky,” Outlaw said, ABC News reported. “We were able to get someone arrested as quickly as we did because we had agents working on another task. It’s not because of our lack of presence here, but I think it’s very revealing that people willing to participate in these shootings are becoming more and more encouraged whether we are here or not “.
The Hill has contacted the Philadelphia Police Department for additional information.