Gunman shot man during robbery inside Northeast Philly park

A playground hangout turned violent for a group of teenagers Sunday night in the Northeast's Torresdale section when police say an armed robber accosted the group and shot an 18-year-old man.

The group of about five teens was hanging out at the Torresdale Playground, off of Frankford Avenue and Aubrey Street, shortly before 8 p.m. when witnesses said a man approached one of the young men, leveled a handgun at him and announced a robbery, according to Chief Inspector Scott Small at the scene.

The man's friends intervened, and a struggle ensued, ending with the gunman firing a single shot into the victim's chest. Police arrived and quickly rushed him to Aria Health's Torresdale Hospital, where he remained in critical condition late Sunday.

The shooter, who witnesses described to police as a man wearing black mesh shorts, was last seen running north on Leon Street from the playground, toward John F. Byrne Golf Course. K-9, SWAT and Aviation officers scoured the area for any trace of the shooter after a T-shirt he may have worn was found discarded not far from the playground, police sources said.

The quiet playground tucked on a hill off busy Frankford Avenue is not monitored by cameras, Small said.

The young victim's blood, his hat and his wallet marked the spot on the playground where he was shot, near wooden benches, a jungle gym and a swing set. Small said it was unclear how much money, if any, the shooter took.

Three boys and a girl who appeared to be in their late teens and witnesses the shooting were taken to Northeast Detectives to be interviewed.

"We have several good witnesses who gave us very good some identification on this shooter," Small said.

Police remained at the playground investigating late Sunday night.