by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — A man is in critical condition after being shot in the chest Friday evening and collapsing outside a retail store in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, according to police.
The Philadelphia Police Department said officers responded around 6:48 p.m. on January 30 to reports of a shooting and a person with a gun near the intersection of Wayne Avenue and Chelten Avenue.
Victim Found Outside Store With Gunshot Wound
When officers arrived, they found an adult male lying outside a Cricket Mobile store, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the chest, police said.
Inspector D.F. Pace told local media that officers immediately transported the man to a nearby hospital.
The victim was listed in critical condition and taken into surgery shortly after arriving at the hospital, police confirmed.
Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity.
Shooting Occurred One Block Away, Police Say
Investigators later determined that the shooting did not occur directly in front of the store where the man collapsed.
According to police, the victim was shot one block away, near the 100 block of West Chelten Avenue. After being shot, the man reportedly ran from the scene before collapsing outside the Cricket Mobile store.
Police said the shooter was a woman, who was accompanied by another woman at the time of the incident.
Investigators believe the suspect fled the area after the shooting, but no arrests have been announced.
Many Details Still Unclear
Inspector Pace said there are still significant unanswered questions in the case.
Police have not yet determined:
- The identity of the victim
- How many shots were fired
- What led up to the shooting
- Whether the victim and suspect knew each other
Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and review surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras.
Investigation Ongoing in Germantown
The Germantown neighborhood saw a heavy police presence Friday night as officers secured the area and searched for evidence. Shell casings or a weapon have not yet been publicly confirmed.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen the shooting or has video footage from the area around Wayne Avenue, Chelten Avenue, or West Chelten Avenue to come forward.
Police emphasized that even small details could help investigators piece together what happened.
Community Safety Concerns
The shooting has raised concerns among local residents and business owners, especially given that it occurred during early evening hours near busy commercial corridors.
Officials continue to stress the importance of reporting suspicious activity and cooperating with investigators as the case develops.
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The victim remains hospitalized in critical condition as of the latest update.
What do you think should be done to improve safety in busy neighborhood commercial areas like this one? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
