Boy, 13, shot in back, is in stable condition

A 13-year-old boy who was shot in the back Saturday was listed in stable condition at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia yesterday after surgery, Police Officer Elizabeth Skala said.

A gunman fired several shots at the boy, striking him once in the lower back, as he walked down a street in West Philadelphia, police said yesterday. The boy's identity was withheld by police.

The shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. at Ithan and Locust Streets. The boy's brother found him lying on the street and drove him to Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was listed in critical condition. Later, he was taken to Children's Hospital, Skala said. No other information was immediately available.- Jan Hefler