Philadelphia’s July 4th weekend turned deadly as 46 people were injured and six killed in multiple shootings across the city, according to data from the Philadelphia Police Department, published by FOX 29. The violence erupted primarily between Friday and Sunday, with additional bloodshed spilling into Monday morning.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel responded by acknowledging the weekend’s devastation while pointing to an overall decline in homicides. “Despite the weekend violence, we still remain close to 10 percent down in our homicides,” he said. “Close to 10 percent down in our shootings and other categories.” Bethel cited July 4th as a recurring flashpoint for urban violence, stating, “I don’t know what it is about that time period… But those three days, particularly the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, seem to cause some activation.”
The violence culminated in a shootout around 1:30 a.m. Monday in South Philadelphia. Multiple shooters opened fire during a chaotic exchange that left at least 13 people wounded. Three men—aged 19, 23, and 24—were killed in the crossfire, according to CBS News.
Among the wounded were several minors, including a 15-year-old girl and two 17-year-old boys. Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances and identities of the shooters involved in the South Philadelphia incident.
Philadelphia’s surge in violence is part of a broader trend seen in other Democrat-controlled cities. Breitbart News reported at least 55 people were shot in Chicago over the same holiday weekend, with six fatalities. The repeated violence across major cities has renewed calls for stronger law enforcement measures and accountability from local leaders.
