The shooting happened shortly after 9:45 p.m. in the 2500 block of Spring Garden as the fireworks display was still in progress. Sources tell Action News they believe the shooting erupted from a location in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art but behind the main stage at Eakins Oval. Celebrants are seen running down the Ben Franklin Parkway after gunfire erupted. A 36-year-old highway patrolman with the Philadelphia Police Department was grazed in front. He has been on the force for 14 years. A photo shared by FOP Lodge #5 president John McNesby showed a bullet lodged in the officer’s hat. From FOP President John McNesby: He just left the hospital after spending time with injured police officers. He says they are both fine and alert. He says the angels were with the officer at the head. The bullet hit his cap. Share this photo @6abc pic.twitter.com/ZqZcUWoKc1 — Sharifa Jackson 6abc (@SharifaJackson) July 5, 2022″It’s amazing the round stopped in his hat. First, I think, it went up in, hit his forehead, and then the round stopped in his hat,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said during a press conference shortly after midnight Tuesday. The second officer, a 44-year-old Montgomery County sheriff’s deputy assigned to the bomb squad, suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. The sheriff’s deputy, a 16-year veteran, was assisting Philadelphia police, as law enforcement from surrounding counties often do during major events in the city. Both officers were taken to Jefferson University Hospital where they were treated and released early Tuesday morning. The Highway Patrol and other Philadelphia police officers were in formation outside the hospital, greeting and applauding the injured officers as they went home to recover. One of the injured could be seen with a bandage on his head. The names of those officers have not been released. Outlaw said the officers did not hear any gunshots. So far there is no information on a suspect or arrests in the shooting. Police are asking anyone with information or who may have a photo or video of the shooting to call them at 215-686-TIPS (8477). The circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation. Outlaw said it’s not yet known if the shooting was intentional or if the officers were hit by stray bullets — or if the bullets came from celebratory gunfire. Mayor Jim Kenney, who was also at the news conference, didn’t mince words when asked about the city’s gun crisis. “If I could take care of the guns. I would. But the legislature won’t let us. The U.S. Congress won’t let us. The governor is doing his best. Our Attorney General is doing his best. But this is a gun country. It’s crazy,” he said. “We are the most armed country in the history of the world and we are one of the least safe,” he continued. “Well, you know, until the American people decide they want to give up their guns and give up the opportunity to get guns, we’re going to have this problem.” This shooting comes hours after a shooting during a July 4th parade in Illinois. Six people were killed and dozens injured in Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago. A person of interest in this case is currently in custody. Copyright © 2022 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
