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Police responded to reports of two fellow officers reportedly shot near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as thousands of people celebrated a July 4th concert and fireworks show.
One officer suffered a laceration to the head and the other a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, sources told NBC10’s Rosemary Connors. Both are in stable condition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the sources said.
The shooting erupted around 9:47 p.m. near the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the final day of the Wawa Welcome America Festival as crowds of people watched a fireworks show after a concert led by Jason Derulo on the boardwalk, police said.
The shots came from the area near 25th and Spring Garden streets, behind where the concert took place, sources told Connors.
Various people were seen fleeing the area. Police instructed people in surrounding buildings to shelter in place.
“I didn’t hear the shots, but the cops said, ‘Run, run, run,'” one woman told NBC10.
NBC10 had various reporters in the area covering the festival.
NBC10 reporter Leah Uko reported a “scramble” of people running toward the concert stage. She said she helped three people onto the stage and they took cover behind a DJ podium. A person talking to the show’s director then instructed them to stay there until it was safe enough to “go back” to their vehicles, Uko said.
NBC10’s Tim Furlong said he saw a “wave of people” running from near Eakins Oval down the lane. Several children cried during moments of confusion from the crowd and officers at the scene, Furlong said.
Fellow reporter Karen Hua reported that she was lying in the dirt in a tent with other people.
“We built a fortress around us with catering equipment. Everyone is crying or screaming,” Hua tweeted.
The Philadelphia Police Department is instructing those who wish to be reunited with loved ones to meet at 1901 Vine St. in front of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Everyone else was asked to stay away.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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