One dead, one critical in Northern Liberties shooting

A woman was shot and killed and a man was critically wounded Sunday night in what police described as an extremely violent encounter inside a three-story house on the 700 block of North Third Street in the trendy Northern Liberties neighborhood.

A 65-year-old woman, who was not identified by police, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 9 p.m. She was shot once in the head inside the house, police said.

Blood could be seen splattered throughout the foyer of the house and out onto the stoop.

A 40-year-old man, who police said may be related to the woman, was shot in the face and was listed in critical condition at Hahnemann Hospital last night, police reported.

"We have crime scene evidence, ballistic evidence, blood on all three floors of the house, so it seems to be a very violent crime that took place in there," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Small said there were several witnesses inside the house and some on the street. The gunman, he said, was a male. Witnesses were being interviewed by homicide detectives last night, and Small could provide no further details.

Northern Liberties, one of the fast growing neighborhoods in the city, has been the scene of a number of brief but violent incidents in recent years, including drug-related shootings.

Police said they had no motive for Sunday night's shooting.

Contact staff writer Mike Newall at 215-854-2759 or mnewall@phillynews.com.