Philadelphia community on edge after 2 men involved in deadly shooting escape standoff in Kensington
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A deadly shootout that left a teen dead turned into a police barricade in Kensington on Thursday night. SWAT officers remain on the scene in the 3400 block of Palethorp Street.
The Philadelphia Police Department said at least 81 shots were fired during the shootout, which led to the barricade situation that lasted for two hours.
Police and SWAT cleared this area shortly before 10:30 p.m. Thursday. They were focused on a garage. No one was found inside, but it remains an active crime scene.
Police said there was a shootout around 8 p.m. Thursday in the 3400 block of North Palethorp Street in Kensington, between Tioga and Ontario Streets.
When police got on the scene they found a 17-year-old boy shot multiple times. They believe he was targeted.
He was rushed to Temple University Hospital, but he died a few minutes later.
Police said two men, who are believed to be involved in the shooting, barricaded themselves inside a garage on Palethorp, not far from where the shots were fired.
The SWAT team was called out and focused in on the garage, but when they finally got inside the men were gone but cash and ammunition were found inside.
Police said residents on the block were evacuated and taken away on SEPTA busses for their safety.
Multiple weapons were found.
"At this point, we know there were numerous shooters," Inspector D F Pace said. "We have ballistic evidence of at least three weapons being used. Two calibers of a handgun as well as an AK-47 style rifle. Over 80 shots were fired during this incident. At this time, we only know of one individual who was shot and that's the 17-year-old who was rushed to Temple University Hospital."
Police said three people are in custody, being questioned to determine if they played any role in the shooting.
Two additional shooting victims walked into Temple Hospital, but it's unclear if they were injured in this shooting.
Pace says there are still a lot of unanswered questions and it remains an active crime scene.
For a list of gun violence resources in Philadelphia, click here.
