Crowds return to Dilworth Park after Friday’s shooting

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crowds of people returned to Dilworth Park in downtown Philadelphia on Saturday after a shooting the day before that left three teenagers wounded.

Rachel Queney of Logan Square says she was taking cover when she heard a barrage of bullets Friday afternoon.

“We just saw people literally running around holding their kids’ hands, so of course we just tried to hide by huddling together.”

Our Sky 6 camera footage above the ice rink shows police cordoning off the area around 4.30pm on Friday.

One 14-year-old victim, who was shot in the face, remains in serious condition.

Two more victims, aged 14 and 15, are in stable condition.

A 14-year-old boy, who was arrested shortly after the shooting, was charged with aggravated assault and other charges.

Police do not believe the shooter was a teenager.

Last weekend, investigators said the teenager would be charged as an adult, but on Monday they said that was no longer the case.

The downtown area is bustling with people, especially this time of year, with the Holiday Market in Dilworth Park and the Christmas Village in nearby Love Park.

“I was a little scared,” said Eric Ajama, a vendor in Christmas Village.

Vendors like Ajama are frustrated by the violence.

More than 11 million visitors have visited Dilworth Park this year, according to the Center City District. But all operations were suspended for the night after the shooting.

In a statement Saturday, Center City District President and CEO Prema Katari Gupta said, “Today and in the coming days, we will work with the police and city officials to ensure that Dilworth Park remains a safe and welcoming place for all. It is important to emphasize that this was an isolated incident in Dilworth Park, which has been visited by more than 11 million people this year.”

“I wish there was something like a metal detector that could prevent this from happening again,” Ajama said.

Police increased patrols on Saturday. The size of the crowd shows that the shooting didn’t stop holiday shoppers, but they were fed up with the bloodshed in the city.

“I think we all have to be very careful wherever we go,” said Jennifer Nunez of Plainfield, New Jersey.

Police say they are still looking for other suspects in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. All tips can remain anonymous.