Shooting in Philadelphia wounds 2 officers

by ian

Ian Patrick, FISM News

 

The festivities for July 4th were marred with shootings in Philadelphia that injured two officers on duty, according to reports of the incident.

During a concert and fireworks event near the famed Philadelphia Art Museum, a gunman fired shots that grazed and injured two officers at the scene at around 9:47 p.m. One officer received an injury to the forehead while the other received an injury to the shoulder.

Shortly after shots rang out, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management said there was “a security incident on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.”

Both officers have since been released from the hospital after being treated for their injuries.

As of this writing, it is unclear how many shots were fired and from where they were fired. Police are also uncertain as to the motive behind the shooting, according to Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, who spoke to reporters after clearing the area. An investigation into the matter is currently ongoing.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney responded to the shooting on Twitter, calling it “a truly horrific incident.” He further reported that the Parkway was evacuated quickly thanks to local officers.

Kenney took his comments a step further, blaming the event on gun violence and vowing to legislate an end to “the scourge of gun violence” in Philadelphia.

Speaking to reporters, Kenney called the shooter a “nitwit” who he thinks was encouraged by the Supreme Court’s defense of Second Amendment rights. Making a comparison to Canada, Kenney said the only people in his city who should have firearms are the police officers.

He further said that if it were up to him he would have done away with gun ownership in the city, and called on the nation as a whole to “give up the guns.”

This is a gun country. It’s crazy. We are the most armed country in the – world history, and we’re one of the least safest. So, you know, until Americans decide that they want to give up the guns, then give up the opportunity to get guns, we’re going to have this problem.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro praised the “courage” of the wounded officers and called for the state to “do better” in regard to fear of gun violence.

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