3 injured, including youth shot by officer at Eid al-Fitr event

PHILADELPHIA – Several people were injured when dozens of shots were fired Wednesday afternoon during an Eid event in West Philadelphia where around 1,000 participants gathered to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

According to police, three people were shot during an end-of-Ramadan event near the 4700 block of Wyalusing Avenue. One of the wounded was shot by a police officer.

About 30 shots were fired in the shooting, officials say.

An officer assigned to the area assaulted a 15-year-old who was armed with a gun, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. According to sources, the 15-year-old was armed with an assault rifle. The officer shot the teen twice, although police said he did not drop the gun.

The officer then put the 15-year-old in their patrol vehicle and quickly took him to the hospital.

A 23-year-old man was shot in the stomach. Another teenager was taken to a nearby hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to his hands.

Police have arrested five people: three men, a woman and the 15-year-old who was shot by police. Five weapons were also recovered at the scene.

Police sources believe the suspects were not connected to the peaceful celebration.

The Eid al-Fitr event was held near the Philadelphia Masjid mosque, which sits across from a park.

Evidence marker 30 was placed next to a woman's shoe in the park playground that is part of the crime scene.

Najah Bey was at the celebration when the shooting broke out. She said one of her relatives was shot during the event. She described in detail the tone and the chaos that followed.

“It’s sad in Philadelphia. It's sad that you can't even celebrate without fear of being shot,” Bey said.

Abdallah Legh, general manager of Girard Meat Market, said he heard what sounded like three or four shots were fired. Between a dozen and 20 to 30 children came to his store seeking shelter, Legh told FOX 29.

Legh said his office is a few hundred yards from the scene of the shooting, near the park area. “Everyone was running,” he said, describing what he saw and heard after the shots rang out.

SKYFOX was over the scene and detected a heavy police presence.

The investigation is ongoing.

Contact FOX 29 for updates.