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Five people, including one minor, were arrested, at least three injured and many families found safe after a shooting between two rival groups at a Muslim festival in West Philadelphia on Wednesday. Authorities announced that they are working hard to do so.
The shooting occurred during the event of Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the fasting month. The shots were fired on the city’s west side near the Philadelphia Masjid Mosque around 2:30 p.m., just before the end of the festival, which began in the morning, according to the mosque’s website.
Philadelphia Police Chief Kevin J. Bethel said in a press conference Wednesday that the event drew about 1,000 people. He characterized the shooting as a fight between “two factions” at a park event.
“When you see individuals fighting violently, a lot of times they don’t care where they’re meeting each other,” he said, adding that police believe groups “pulled out guns and pointed them at each other.” The cause of the attack will be investigated, it added. Others” In the middle of the festival.
Five people were taken into custody, including a 15-year-old boy who was later shot in the arm and leg by police and taken to a hospital for treatment, Philadelphia police said. Additionally, a man was shot in the abdomen and a minor was injured in the hand.
Approximately 30 shots were fired during the incident.
Bethel said a police unit was assigned to the incident, and “things were going well until we heard the loud gunshots.” Officers heard about 30 gunshots and found “two factions exchanging gunfire,” Bethel said.
Police said a 22-year-old man was hit in the abdomen and a 15-year-old boy suffered an injury to his finger. Both victims were taken to local hospitals and were in stable condition as of Tuesday evening.
Another 15-year-old boy who was carrying a gun was also shot and disarmed by responding officers, who injured him in the leg and arm, authorities said. The boy was then taken to a local hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
Police said five people were arrested in connection with the incident, including a 15-year-old boy. According to police, four of the five suspects were male and one was female. Officers also recovered five firearms.
During the chaos, a police cruiser struck a 15-year-old girl, authorities said. She was taken to a local hospital with a broken leg, but her condition is said to be stable.
“Obviously we send her and her family our prayers,” Bethel said. “That’s not our primary objective, so we’re going to follow up to let her and her family know that.”
“We’re going to find a way to move forward.”
Imam Kweiser D. Abdullah, who was recently appointed director of Muslim engagement in Philadelphia, called the incident that marred the holiday “sad.” He said Philadelphia Mayor Sherrell Parker has contacted him and is convening other imams.
“I think we’re going to find a way forward to ease tensions in the community,” Abdullah said.
When the shooting started, many people scrambled for safety.
Eric Chan, who works at an auto repair shop near where the shooting occurred, said “a bunch of kids” crawled through the open door of the Lae Auto Collision Service Center, looking for a place to hide. Police flooded the area and at least one helicopter circled overhead, Chiang said.
“For the safety of our employees, we had no choice but to lock the doors,” he said.
Contributor: N’Dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY; Reuters
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