5 people, including 4 juveniles, to be charged as adults after West Philadephia Eid al-Fitr shooting
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Five people, including four juveniles and 21-year-old Kahbir Oglesby-Hicks, will be charged as adults following a shooting at the end of an Eid al-Fitr event in West Philadelphia's Parkside section that left three people injured, the Philadelphia District Attorney announced Friday.
Two 15-year-old boys, a 16-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy will be charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, Assistant District Attorney William Fritze said.
The four juveniles will be arraigned Friday, said Assistant District Attorney Marianne Aguilar with the District Attorney's Gun Violence Task Force.
Oglesby-Hicks, of West Philadelphia, faces charges related to guns, evading arrest and more.
"But it is really a community therapeutic day because you have a lot of children who are traumatized and adults who are traumatized," said Saifullah Muhammad with the Philadelphia Masjid. "When we talk about faith, we talk about good endings, so it was very imperative that we come right back out because we have to continue practicing our faith."
Police said around 1,000 people were in attendance for the event celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, at Clara Muhammad Square on the 4700 block of Wyalusing Avenue.
"In the midst of Eid al-Fitr, a Holy Day of celebration, our city's Muslim community experienced a sacrilegious act of gun violence today in a West Philadelphia park. Every community of faith has the absolute right and need to worship in peace," Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker wrote on X following the shooting. "We stand united with the Muslim community, and vow to work together to restore balance and light to our communities."
We stand united with the Muslim community, and vow to work together to restore balance and light to our communities.
— Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (@PhillyMayor) April 11, 2024
Police said officers were initially called to the area by the owner of a nearby gas station because multiple vehicles were parked on his property. As officers were issuing parking tickets, police said they heard numerous gunshots coming from Clara Muhammad Square and ran toward the gunfire.
Five people, including four juveniles, were taken into custody at the scene of the shooting. Police also recovered six guns.
City and state officials joined Muslim leaders outside of the Philadelphia Masjid on April 12 to show support after a shooting that happened just steps away from the place of worship.