Ian Patrick, FISM News
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The festivities for July 4th were marred with shootings in Philadelphia that injured two officers on duty, according to reports of the incident.
During a concert and fireworks event near the famed Philadelphia Art Museum, a gunman fired shots that grazed and injured two officers at the scene at around 9:47 p.m. One officer received an injury to the forehead while the other received an injury to the shoulder.
Shortly after shots rang out, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management said there was “a security incident on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.”
There is a security incident on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Please follow public safety instructions and avoid area. Details to follow.
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) July 5, 2022
Both officers have since been released from the hospital after being treated for their injuries.
As of this writing, it is unclear how many shots were fired and from where they were fired. Police are also uncertain as to the motive behind the shooting, according to Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, who spoke to reporters after clearing the area. An investigation into the matter is currently ongoing.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney responded to the shooting on Twitter, calling it “a truly horrific incident.” He further reported that the Parkway was evacuated quickly thanks to local officers.
Kenney took his comments a step further, blaming the event on gun violence and vowing to legislate an end to “the scourge of gun violence” in Philadelphia.
Our traditions cannot and will not be ruined by the scourge of gun violence. I love this city, and as Mayor, there’s nothing more I want than to help solve this problem and keep our residents and visitors safe.
— Mayor Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) July 5, 2022
Speaking to reporters, Kenney called the shooter a “nitwit” who he thinks was encouraged by the Supreme Court’s defense of Second Amendment rights. Making a comparison to Canada, Kenney said the only people in his city who should have firearms are the police officers.
He further said that if it were up to him he would have done away with gun ownership in the city, and called on the nation as a whole to “give up the guns.”
This is a gun country. It’s crazy. We are the most armed country in the – world history, and we’re one of the least safest. So, you know, until Americans decide that they want to give up the guns, then give up the opportunity to get guns, we’re going to have this problem.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro praised the “courage” of the wounded officers and called for the state to “do better” in regard to fear of gun violence.
I’m praying for the two officers wounded and all law enforcement on the ground working to restore calm in Philadelphia tonight. Their courage is endless.
Tonight, families gathered in our nation’s birthplace to celebrate freedom. But this fear isn’t freedom — we must do better. https://t.co/rUFnfBmRu7
— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) July 5, 2022