Eight high school students were shot at a SEPTA bus stop in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon, according to officials.
The victims ranged in age from 15 to 17, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed during a press conference.
One 16-year-old boy sustained nine gunshot wounds to the torso and has been listed in critical condition, Philadelphia police said. The seven other victims suffered gunshots to various parts of their bodies, including the back, chest, arms, legs and buttocks, and are said to be in stable condition.
Police believe the shots were fired by gunman in a dark blue Hyundai parked near a Dunkin Donuts in the Burholme neighborhood just before 3 p.m. Three people wearing masks were seen on surveillance video getting out of the vehicle and opening fire at a group of students at the bus stop.
The vehicle fled away from the scene and the suspects are still at large.
Wednesday’s shooting happened near Northeast High School and Crossan Elementary School. The high school students had just been dismissed for the day when the gunplay began, officials said.
Authorities later confirmed at least 30 shots had been fired.
Transportation officials said two busses, Route 18 and Route 67, were also hit by bullets during the afternoon shooting, but no passengers onboard were known to be hurt.
Wednesday’s shooting marks the fourth time this week violence had erupted at a SEPTA location.
Cops said a man was shot and killed on a Route 79 bus in South Philadelphia Tuesday night. A 17-year-old high school student died and four other people were injured when at least one gunman with an automatic weapon opened fire at a bus stop Monday. And on Sunday, a 27-year-old bus passenger was fatally shot during an altercation.
Wednesday’s incident is said to have occurred while SEPTA Police Chief Chuck Lawson was in Philadelphia City Hall meeting with police and other city officials to discuss the recent shootings in the city, according to Fox29’s Steve Keeley.
With News Wire Services
