PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Four students at Overbrook High School were shot and killed late Wednesday morning after school was dismissed, police said.
The shooting happened at about 11:30 a.m. near the intersection of 60th and Oxford Streets, about a block from the school, near The Beauty Lounge.
According to police, men in a silver Hyundai SUV began shooting at a group of people standing on the corner.
Officers in the school’s dismissal area heard gunshots, responded to the area and began transporting the victims to local hospitals.
Two 15-year-old female students and two 16-year-old male students were shot, police said. Teenage girls are sisters.
All four students were taken to area hospitals, where they are listed in stable condition.
Video and photos from the scene showed police officers and police tape outside The Beauty Lounge.
The door of the enterprise was broken, and a bullet hole was visible in the window.
On Wednesday, school closed three hours early because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
After the shooting, Mayor Jim Kenney issued the following statement: “I am heartbroken by yet another act of violence against students. Violence of any kind is simply unacceptable, and it is unacceptable for anyone to endanger young people by firing a gun at close range. I am thankful that all the injured are stable and no one died.
Our administration will work with the school district to support the Overbrook High School community and with law enforcement to make sure the perpetrators are found and brought to justice.”
At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, school leaders were fed up and fired.
“We allow people to walk around with guns and do whatever they want in the city. Until we address this problem and fix it, we will continue to come here. So we can continue to meet like this, but it’s not acceptable. We could have lost a child today,” said Kevin Bethel, the school district’s chief safety officer.
Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington said the district is already beefing up its security plan, including hiring more staff.
“We will get serious help to solve the problem of our city with this weapon,” he said.
The Turkey Bowl game scheduled for Thanksgiving morning between Overbrook High School and West Philadelphia High School was canceled due to the violence.
The city is offering a $10,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest and conviction in shootings near schools, recreation centers and libraries. Anyone with information is asked to call 215-686-TIPS.
The Philadelphia Police Department and Office of School Safety are investigating.
There was no immediate information on a possible motive.
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