(IntegrityPress.org) – An unsanctioned block party hosted in the Carroll Park area of West Philadelphia ended in a shootout in the early hours of Sunday, July 21. The gunfight is reported to have involved multiple shooters and resulted in the deaths of three partygoers. Six others were shot and were taken to hospital for treatment, four of whom were released within hours. The wounded have not been publicly identified, but authorities say their ages ranged from 20 to 30 years of age.
Police say that a fight erupted at around 2 a.m. and escalated into gunfire between multiple members of the crowd. At this point, the police have not been able to confirm the identities of all those involved or the reason why the fight began in the first place.
Philadelphia’s Mayor Cherelle Parker attributed the violence to a “Wild West-like culture” and said that her administration was determined to make the city a safer place for its residents. She added that it was vital for people to follow the rules and to request permits for block parties such as this one. According to authorities, the block party’s organizers failed to apply for a permit, so no police officers were posted to the 100-strong gathering. Police have already denied several dozen applications for block party permits in 2024, citing concerns over public safety and the potential for violent behavior.
Earlier this year, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel promised to take a hard line on block parties after the shooting of Maurice Quan at a 4th of July celebration. Quan, 19, had been hosting a party in the Kingsessing area when he was killed by a partygoer firing his gun into the crowd of revelers.
The three killed at the Carroll Park gathering have been confirmed as 23-year-old Sekayi Robinson and brothers Akil Jones, 33, and Rashie Jones, 29. A number of shell casings from weapons of different calibers have been recovered from the scene, along with three firearms. No arrests have been made as of this writing, and police are continuing their investigation. They have requested that anyone with relevant information contact them.
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