Teenager shot in the back in West Philadelphia, 2 people in custody, police say
A 16-year-old boy was shot in the back on 52nd Street between Chestnut and Market streets in West Philly on Tuesday morning, Philadelphia police said.
The shooting happened just after 11 a.m. in a busy shopping corridor of West Philadelphia as people prepare for Ramadan.
The victim was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and his condition was not immediately released.
Police are investigating the scene and have found two firearms and taken two people into custody.
The shooting happened just outside the Ajwa Islamic Fashion Store on 52nd Street. One of the bullets in the shooting shattered a window inside the store, which led to glass being littered all over the sidewalk.
Police haven't said what led up to the shooting, but people in the area say they believe it started with an argument down the street at Al-Amanah Islamic Place and Fashions.
Abdul Hakeem, of Al-Amanah Islamic Place and Fashions, said he heard a loud gunshot and one of his customers ran back into the store. He added there have been shootings in the area in the past, but this one was very close to his front door.
"Obviously it's scary! We're talking about gunshots. So this is not like kids' play, this is a gun, we're talking about killing people," Hakeem said. "So it's very, very scary. Some of the customers are afraid to come. One customer told us she's not going to come until next month because she's scared to come out. So this is very, very scary. And it's not good for business, to be honest."
Stores on the block reopened by Tuesday afternoon.
