PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A woman is in stable condition after being shot Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia’s Spring Garden neighborhood, just feet from an elementary school and playground.
Police said a 51-year-old woman was struck in the buttocks around 2 p.m. on the 1700 block of Mt. Vernon Street. She was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
Another woman was reportedly injured nearby, possibly while fleeing the scene.
Authorities have one person in custody and recovered a firearm, but have not released the identity of the individual or confirmed any charges.
The incident happened close to Waring Elementary School and Roberto Clemente Playground. Officials said the school was placed on a temporary hold, meaning no one was allowed to enter or exit during the investigation.
“It’s definitely scary for young children around here,” said Michael Sanders, a Spring Garden resident. “But also, it’s scary to be in schools today.”
Police have not identified a motive for the shooting. However, neighbors reported hearing ongoing arguments between two women in recent weeks, including earlier that morning.
“I know last night at 1 a.m. they were still screaming, the dispute was going on,” said Navin Ekazue, who lives nearby. “I remember I could hear a guy’s voice trying to break up two women’s voices.”
Ekazue expressed concern about the safety of children in the area.
“That’s the worry in the back of my head when I’m hearing these screams – that children live in that building, children play over there,” she said. “This is a very child-friendly neighborhood.”
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
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