This tragic mass shooting in Fairmount Park underscores growing concerns about gun violence and the use of illegal firearm modifications in Philadelphia.
Key Details:
- Victims Identified:
- Amya Devlin, 23
- Mikhail Bowers, 21
- Injured: 9 people, including teenagers aged 15, 16, and 17. All are reported to be in stable condition.
- Incident Location: 800 block of Lemon Hill Drive near the Lemon Hill Mansion, just before 10:30 p.m. Monday.
- Additional Casualty: One person was struck by a vehicle amid the chaos.
- No Arrests or Weapons Recovered as of the latest update.
- Gun Modification Suspected: Investigators believe a “Glock switch” may have been used. This illegal device converts semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons, firing up to 17 rounds in under 2 seconds.
- ATF Involvement: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has noted an increase in such modifications citywide, often tied to 3D-printed components.
Ongoing Investigation:
- Police are analyzing social media videos for evidence.
- The Crime Scene Unit is processing shell casings to determine the number and types of firearms used.
- Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed that the shooting happened while groups were gathering and some were beginning to leave the area.
Context:
This shooting adds to the rising toll of gun violence in urban parks and public spaces. The increasing use of converted automatic weapons makes incidents more deadly and unpredictable.
If you’d like updates on arrests, suspect descriptions, or responses from city officials, I can track developments in real time.
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