West Philly Rec Center Pool Shooting Injures 4 kids, City Worker

Crime Scene – Do Not Cross Tape in Swimming Pool — Source: Gabrijelagal / Getty

Police are investigating a shooting that injured four children and a city official.

According to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, the shooting happened while there were about 75 people in the pool around 4:05 p.m. on July 30 at the Christy Rec Center at the intersection of 56th and Christian streets in West Philadelphia.

Commissioner Bethel explained that a fight broke out at the shooting location earlier in the day and was broken up by rec center staff before four suspects returned with a firearm.

At five people were shot, two of whom were children. Those two kids, ages 10 and 11, sustained graze wounds. A rec center employee also sustained graze wounds during the violent incident, while a 16-year-old was also injured.

Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed her disappointment in the reckless behavior.

“Any and everyone associated with this will be held accountable,” Parker said in a press event shortly after the shooting.

In video shared by the Philadelphia Police Department, a man that officials identified as a shooter can be seen wearing dark clothing crossing the street and approaching three other people.