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Police responded after two officers were shot dead near Benjamin Franklin Parkway as thousands of people held a concert and fireworks show on July 4, several sources told NBC10.
One of the officers suffered a head injury and the other a bullet wound to his right shoulder, sources told NBC10’s Rosemary Connors. Both were in stable condition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, sources said.
A photo provided to NBC10 by John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge no. 5, showed what he said was a bullet placed in an officer’s cap.
The shooting occurred around 9:47 p.m. near the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the last day of the Wawa Welcome America festival while a crowd of people watched a fireworks show after a Jason-led concert I rolled down the road, police said.
The shots came from the area near 25th Street and Spring Garden, behind where the concert took place, Connors sources said. Several people could be seen running from the area. Police ordered people from nearby buildings to take refuge in their place.
“I didn’t hear the shots, but the cops said,‘ Run, run, run, ’” a woman told NBC10.
NBC10 had several journalists in the area covering the festival.
NBC10 reporter Leah Uko reported a “stampede” of people running toward the concert stage. Uko was interviewing a group of teenagers when an NBC10 camera captured the moments when people, including several visibly distressed children, began screaming and dispersing.
He said he helped three people get on stage and protected themselves behind a DJ podium. A man who spoke to the show’s director told them to stay there until it was safe enough to “get back to their vehicles quickly,” Uko said.
NBC10’s Tim Furlong said he saw a “wave of people” running from near Eakins Oval down the road. Several children were crying during the confusing moments of the crowd and police officers at the scene, Furlong said.
Journalist Karen Hua reported that she had landed inside a tent with other people.
“We’ve made a fort around us with catering equipment. Everyone is crying or screaming,” Hua tweeted.
The Philadelphia Police Department gave instructions to those who want to reunite with their loved ones to meet at 1901 Vine St. in front of the Philadelphia Free Library. Anyone else was asked to walk away.
Around 11pm, police officers could be seen scouring an area from near 19th Street and the road to Eakins Oval.
Several people sought refuge in the Parke Town apartments, which are on the side of the road. Residents were asked to “keep calm” during police activity “on the spot, throughout the community.” All towers in the complex were closed “until we have more information available,” the company said in an email.
Later, residents were able to re-enter. Police officers at the resort told an NBC10 producer that their search there ended up having nothing to do with the shooting.
There are additional resources for individuals or communities who have suffered armed violence in Philadelphia. You can find more information here.
This is a developing story and will be updated.