11 shots fired in Northeast Philadelphia shooting that injured 15-year-old, police say
A 15-year-old was critically injured in a shooting in Northeast Philadelphia's Mayfair neighborhood Wednesday, police said.
Philadelphia Police Department Chief Inspector Scott Small said the shooting happened on the 3000 block of Nesper Street just after 5 p.m.
Officers who responded to the scene found a 15-year-old boy suffering from gunshot wounds to his shoulder and abdomen, Small said. He was bleeding and lying next to a parked car.
Small said the 15-year-old was taken to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital, where he was placed in stable but critical condition.
At the scene, Small said investigators found 11 spent shell casings on the sidewalk from a semi-automatic weapon or weapons.
The alleged shooter was wearing all black clothing, including a dark hooded sweatshirt with white lettering on the back, Small said. The shooter also had a mask on their face. They were last seen on foot heading south on Battersby Street.
Small said police are hoping cameras at homes along Nesper Street will help with the investigation.
The 15-year-old who was shot was with at least one other teenager. Small said police are trying to track down that teen as a witness in the shooting.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, according to Small. A BB gun was found at the scene, but it's unclear how it's connected to the shooting.
The 15-year-old who was shot lives near the scene, and Small said they're lucky nobody else was struck by gunfire on a nice sunny day in the city.
A video obtained by CBS News Philadelphia shows a mother and her kids running for cover when multiple gunshots erupt on Nesper Street.
"I was so scared," a kid said. "I don't want to die right now, and I felt so scared I was shaking a lot, a lot, a lot."
Josei Eilend, another neighbor, said she was in her room and heard the 15-year-old screaming for help. She said she grabbed gauze and ran down to help save his life.
"I am trying to like pack and apply pressure, there's like blood everywhere, and I was nervous, and he says, 'Miss, it hurts! Do you know what you are doing?'" Eilend said. "I'm like, 'Yes, I'm sorry,' crying like, 'I am so sorry, it's going to be OK.'"
Neighbors said they hope the 15-year-old is OK and hope they find who is responsible for the shooting.
"It's a shame today for these kids," Deborah Bennet, another neighbor, said. "They think carrying a gun is a toy, and it's sad."
