Two teens shot in targeted shooting, police search for suspects

PHILADELPHIA (WPHL) — Two teenagers were shot multiple times in what police believe was a targeted shooting Monday evening in North Philadelphia.

More than 60 shell casings were discovered at the scene on Girard Avenue and 15th Street, one of the busiest areas in the City of Philadelphia.

Police said around 5 p.m., the two teens, 16 and 17, were standing in a group of three to five individuals when three shooters sprayed gunfire into their small crowd. The suspects then ran away. 

“Often times the guns have switches that transform them from semi automatic weapons,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department. “And that’s a very good possibility in this case since so many shots were fired in such a short period of time.”

Investigators said surveillance camera captured the entire incident, and they’re reviewing the footage. 

When officers arrived at the scene, they found the two teens seriously injured in front of a convenience store on Girard Avenue and Carlisle Street. They were both rushed to Temple University Hospital. The 16-year-old boy was shot in both legs. His condition was last listed as stable. The 17-year-old boy suffered gunshot wounds to both legs, both arms, and two shots to the torso. He is in critical condition as of this posting.

Detectives recovered a gun at the scene, but they believe that the weapon belonged to one of the shooting victims. 

Police continue to search for the three suspects who were last seen wearing dark clothing and running away on Carlisle Street.