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Three people were wounded Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia's Parkside neighborhood (USA) in a shooting at an Eid al-Fitr celebration near the Philadelphia Masjid Mosque.
Nearly 1,000 people attended the event at 47th Street and Wyalusing Avenue when gunfire erupted between two groups of young people around 2:30 pm.
There were no fatalities, but police are working alongside the homicide unit due to the seriousness of the incident. Initial findings suggest an armed skirmish between four or five individuals. The FBI is involved in the ongoing investigation.
U.S. officials told CBS News that «the shooting does not appear to be an ideologically driven or targeted attack».
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed her support for the Muslim community. «In the midst of Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan, our city's Muslim community experienced a sacrilegious act of gun violence today», she wrote on social media.
«Every community of faith has the absolute right and need to worship in peace. We stand united with the Muslim community, and vow to work together to restore balance and light to our communities».
Gun violence during Eid celebration
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel reported that five people were arrested, including a 15-year-old boy with a gun who was wounded by police officers. The four other suspects are three men and a woman.
The teenager, injured in the left arm and leg, was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. A 22-year-old man and another 15-year-old boy were also shot and are in stable condition. Five weapons were seized at the scene. Additionally, a 15-year-old girl sustained fractures when she was hit by a police car and is also in stable condition.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the violence. «Eid should always be a time of joy for our Muslim neighbors — and I grieve for every member of the Philadelphia Muslim community whose celebration was shattered by gun violence today», he wrote.
The incident left many city officials and Muslims in a state of shock. Peter Wilson, the head of the 6th Ward who attended the event earlier, spoke to CBS News Philadelphia. «It was a wonderful day, everyone was exchanging pleasantries. I just don't understand what they planned to accomplish by this act today. It needs to stop. Put the guns down», he argued.
