14-year-old alleged Christmas Village shooter charged as an adult
The most seriously injured, a 14-year-old boy said to have been shot in the face, was listed in extremely critical condition Saturday afternoon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
A 14-year-old boy arrested in connection with the shooting of three other teens outside of Philadelphia’s Christmas Village at City Hall Friday afternoon is being charged as an adult with aggravated assault and related charges, police said Saturday.
The suspect’s identity was not revealed because of his age. Police are searching for additional suspects in the case that shattered what had been a joyful gathering of holiday shoppers and skaters at the nearby Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink.
Shortly after 4:30 p.m., a group of teens started fighting in Dilworth Park, on the west side of City Hall, police said. Then one of them, standing next to the ice rink and Christmas Village booths, pulled out a gun and started shooting, police said.
The most seriously injured, a 14-year-old boy said to have been shot in the face, was listed in extremely critical condition Saturday afternoon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
A 15-year-old boy shot in the right calf was in stable condition at Jefferson, police said.
A third victim, whom police learned of shortly before 7 p.m., was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia by his mother, also with a gunshot wound to the calf, police said. He was reported in stable condition Saturday.
Police are encouraging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Shooting Investigation Group at 215-686-8270 or provide anonymous tips at 215-686-TIPS.