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Teen surrenders, charged in shooting outside West Philadelphia rec center that injured 6 people

A 17-year-old was charged in connection with a shooting outside a West Philadelphia rec center that left six people injured, including three children, police said late Friday night.

The teenager turned himself in to police Friday and was charged with 14 counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, firearms charges and related offenses in the shooting near the Christy Recreation Center on 56th and Christian streets on July 30, police said.

Earlier that day, city staff and a police officer on detail at the rec center broke up a fight outside. Later, the teen returned to the corner with a group of other young people and fired multiple shots, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said in a news conference earlier this week.

The 17-year-old is believed to be at least one of the shooters; the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing.

The July 30 shooting happened on one of the first days that the pool at the Christy Rec Center was opened, according to Assistant District Attorney Marianne Aguilar. More than 75 people, including children, families and those attending summer camps, were in the pool area at the time of the shooting, prosecutors said. 

A 16-year-old boy was shot in the face and placed in critical condition. Another 16-year-old boy was shot in the hip and was hospitalized in stable condition.

Police said a 10-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl both suffered graze wounds and were taken to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and placed in stable condition. During a press conference on Monday, prosecutors said a third child was also critically injured in the shooting – an 8-year-old. 

The sixth person shot — a 32-year-old man — is a city employee, Bethel said. The 32-year-old suffered a graze wound to his hand. He was placed in stable condition

Prosecutors said it's "astonishing" that the gunfire didn't injure more people.

Police released surveillance footage late Wednesday night of multiple suspects wanted for their involvement in the shooting. Investigators released more video of the suspects on Friday.

A preliminary hearing for the 17-year-old is scheduled for Aug. 15. His bail is set at just under $4.5 million

New images show suspect believed to be responsible for shooting outside of West Philly rec center 02:30
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