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Gunman shoots 3 teens walking from Parkway fireworks

One teenager was seriously wounded and two others were injured in the Mantua section of the city Sunday when an unidentified gunman fired into a crowd walking from Fourth of July celebrations on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, police said.

Phil and Denise Riehl watch the fireworks over the Art Museum Sunday night. The night turned violent when an unidentified gunman fired into a crowd walking from Fourth of July celebrations on the Parkway, police said.
Phil and Denise Riehl watch the fireworks over the Art Museum Sunday night. The night turned violent when an unidentified gunman fired into a crowd walking from Fourth of July celebrations on the Parkway, police said.Read more

One teenager was seriously wounded and two others were injured in the Mantua section of the city Sunday when an unidentified gunman fired into a crowd walking from Fourth of July celebrations on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, police said.

A 16-year-old boy was in "extremely critical" condition Monday evening at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after being struck in the chest and back of the head, Philadelphia Police Officer Christine O'Brien said.

According to police reports, the shooter fired into a group of pedestrians on Haverford Avenue near 34th Street about 11:40 p.m., following the fireworks show at the Art Museum. He then fled, O'Brien said. Police are continuing to investigate.

The other victims, both male, were a 19-year-old who was shot in a shoulder and a 17-year-old who was struck in a hand, she said. They were treated at the hospital.

The teenagers, whose identities were not released, had crossed into West Philadelphia on the Spring Garden Street bridge. They did not appear to have been targeted, O'Brien said.

The concert-fireworks show was the highlight of Fourth of July events in the city. Organizers said they would not have crowd figures until Tuesday, but last year's event drew one million people, with about 600,000 at its height.

Police reported several incidents of unruly conduct and one 22-year-old man was arrested for fighting near 22d Street and the Parkway.

Police also received reports of a "large group of kids" on South Broad Street near City Hall following the fireworks show, O'Brien said. 6ABC showed video that it obtained of a group moving across Broad Street near City Hall.

O'Brien said there was no solid indication that the group was a flash mob in the sense that it was prearranged via social media or texting. O'Brien said Monday afternoon that there were no other reports to police of injuries or damage after the show.