"We encountered 49 rounds": 5-year-old grandson, grandfather,shot near Southwest Philadelphia gas station: police
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A 5-year-old boy and his grandfather were shot during a gun battle outside a busy gas station in Southwest Philadelphia. The grandfather is in extremely critical condition as police try to figure out why this shooting happened in the first place.
More than 50 yellow evidence markers littered the street near 61st and Passyunk Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia after dozens of shots were fired outside an Exxon gas station.
"We encountered, thus far, 49 rounds," Inspector D F Pace said. "The vast majority of those are from what appears to be a high-powered rifle."
The shootout began just before 6 p.m. Saturday evening in a public place surrounded by businesses. Police believe a white Nissan was targeted. You can see where bullets went through the rear window.
We're told someone inside the car returned fire and then it crashed into a cement barrier blocking the gas pump.
Police say a 71-year-old grandfather was shot in his side and was found on the ground outside the car and his 5-year-old grandson was sitting in a Batman car seat when he was shot in the shoulder.
"There are no words to describe how much of a tragedy that is when this occurs because this is something that this child is going to have to live with and scars coming from this incident," Inspector D F Pace said.
According to the office of the controller, 94 shooting victims so far this year in the city are younger than 18 years old. A witness in this case told CBS News Philadelphia he helped carry the boy to a police cruiser before he was rushed to Children's Hospital.
#BREAKING: Police say a 71yo grandfather was shot in his side and his 5yo grandson was shot in the shoulder walking past the Exxon station near 61st and Passyunk Ave around 5:50pm. The boy is stable. Grandfather is critical. Working to learn more. @CBSPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/drUeLIYTxI
— Ryan Hughes (@HughesCBS3) June 24, 2023
Police are frustrated another innocent child was caught in the crossfire in the city's ongoing battle to curb gun violence.
"This is just something that is beyond any ability for me to express how disgusting it is," Inspector D F Pace said.
At last check, the little boy was in stable condition at CHOP.
Police say the third person inside the Nissan with the 5-year-old ran away before officers arrived.
No arrests have been made in this case and officers are now reviewing surveillance video from the gas station to help piece together what happened.