A 14-year-old boy has been criminally charged after three teenagers were shot near a Christmas ice skating rink in Philadelphia on Friday.
One of the victims, also 14, is hospitalized in “extremely critical condition,” a police spokesperson said Saturday.
The incident occurred just after 4:30 p.m. outside Philadelphia’s Christmas Village, an open-air holiday market located across from City Hall. The end-of-year attraction in Philly’s historic Center City is a popular family destination that features Santa Claus sightings, live entertainment, food vendors and more than 100 “rustic wooden cottages trimmed in festive lights.”
Shots were fired next to the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink in Dilworth Park after a group of teenagers got into a fight, according to Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore. One teen standing by the ice rink pulled out a gun and started shooting.
“People just coming here to visit, spend a little money and enjoy themselves,” a witness told NBC Philadelphia. “And all the sudden terror breaks out for no reason.”
Three boys, two 14-year-olds and one who’s 15, were struck by the gunfire and rushed to nearby hospitals.
One of the 14-year-olds suffered a gunshot wound to his calf and was said to be in stable condition, CBS Philadelphia reported.
The 15-year-old had been shot in the leg and was also in stable condition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, a police spokesperson said Saturday.
The second 14-year-old victim was shot in the face and remained in “extremely critical” condition at the same hospital.
The suspect, whose name has not been released due to his age, was arrested on Friday. He’s being charged as an adult with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy and a weapons charge.
