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1 arrested in Old City melee

Christopher McRae, 28, is facing charges for his role in a brawl outside an Old City bar in the early-morning hours of Jan. 13. (Courtesy of Philadelphia Police)
Christopher McRae, 28, is facing charges for his role in a brawl outside an Old City bar in the early-morning hours of Jan. 13. (Courtesy of Philadelphia Police)Read more
    by By Emily Babay, Breaking News Desk
    Published 

A violent brawl in Old City over the weekend was captured on video, showing attackers beating a car and other people, and an alleged gunman running from police.

A video of the fight posted on YouTube shows a crowd of people kicking a white car. Then, the group is shown repeatedly punching and beating at least one person who is sprawled on the ground. One shot was fired during the incident, police say.

"That guy has a gun," one witness to the brawl is heard saying on the video.

The fight happened at about 2 a.m. Sunday at Second and Chestnut streets. On weekend nights, the nightlife-filled block is typically crowded with bar-goers.

The video posted on YouTube was captured by an unknown witness. A woman who was inside a Chestnut Street bar during the altercation provided more video shots of the melee to WPVI and Fox 29.

No one was struck by the gunfire, said Officer Tanya Little, a police spokeswoman. She said no one suffered major injuries in the fight.

Cops were in the area and are seen rushing to break up the fight. The officers tried to use a stun gun on the man witnesses identified as having a gun, but the suspect fled from the scene.

Police said they apprehended that man, 28-year-old Christopherv McRae, a few blocks away. A weapon was also recovered.

McRae is charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a firearm in public, reckless endangerment and other offenses, court records show.

His bail was set at $300,000 and he faces a Jan. 29 preliminary hearing.

Police are still investigating what sparked the fight.