PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A 23-year-old woman is in critical condition after being shot in the stomach, caught in the crossfire of two shooters, early Monday morning in West Philadelphia, according to police.
Officers responded to Walton Avenue just after midnight and found at least 17 spent shell casings at the scene from two different caliber firearms. No arrests have been made.
Video shared with Action News of the scene shows the chaotic aftermath, with screams and at least one person running from the area, prior to police arriving. It is unclear whether that individual was involved or fleeing for safety.
Neighbors expressed frustration and fear following the violence.
“I don’t even wanna be on this block no more, that’s how I’m feeling. It’s just shocking,” said one woman who did not want to be identified. She said the gunfire woke her from sleep and described the victim as her friend.
“I heard her out the window, so I looked out the window because I knew her voice,” she said. “I just heard her screaming.”
The woman said she stayed inside to protect her children but called 911 for her friend. Police said the victim was an innocent bystander.
This shooting occurred on the same block where a deadly drive-by double shooting took place in late July. Residents say the repeated violence has left them traumatized.
“Me living on this block almost two years, not somewhere I want to be with my children,” the woman said. “Whoever did it, I hope they get caught.”
Police have not released the victim’s identity. She remains hospitalized at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in critical condition.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
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