PHILADELPHIA, PA — A community is in shock and mourning following a horrific mass shooting in the Greys Ferry neighborhood of South Philadelphia late Sunday night that has left at least 13 people shot and three confirmed dead, according to police and local reports. The shooting unfolded during what witnesses described as a crowded and celebratory street party on the 1200 block of South Etting Street—an area that has now been transformed into a chaotic and deeply somber crime scene.
Authorities say the shooting occurred shortly before midnight on Sunday, July 7, 2025, when gunfire suddenly erupted amid a gathering of an estimated 300 people. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of pure terror, with some saying more than 100 rounds were fired in rapid succession, sparking panic and confusion as partygoers fled for cover.
Police arrived to find multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. According to officials with the Philadelphia Police Department:
- Nine victims were rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for emergency treatment.
- Three others, including children, were transported to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
- Three individuals—who have not yet been publicly identified—were pronounced dead.
Several of the victims remain in critical condition, and detectives are working around the clock to determine what led to the eruption of violence in what should have been a peaceful neighborhood celebration.
Witness Accounts: “It Was Like a War Zone”
Terrified witnesses described a scene of utter chaos. “It sounded like a war zone—gunfire coming from all directions,” said one local resident, who asked to remain anonymous. “People were screaming, running into houses, diving behind cars. It all happened so fast. No one knew where the bullets were coming from.”
Another attendee, who had just arrived moments before the shooting started, said they ducked into a backyard and lay on the ground until the gunfire stopped. “There were kids out there, families. This wasn’t supposed to happen,” they said through tears.
Neighbors said the gathering began earlier in the evening as a block party-style celebration, with music, food, and dancing. No incidents had been reported until the barrage of bullets turned joy into chaos.
Investigation Underway
Police have not yet confirmed how many shooters were involved or whether the gunfire came from a single person or multiple assailants. Investigators are combing through surveillance footage, shell casings, and interviewing witnesses in hopes of identifying suspects and understanding what sparked the violence.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the shooting may have been gang-related, a targeted attack, or sparked by an altercation during the party. Detectives with the Philadelphia Homicide Unit and Gun Violence Task Force are leading the investigation.
“We are asking anyone who was at the event or has video of the incident to please come forward,” said a Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson. “The volume of gunfire indicates multiple weapons may have been involved, and we believe there are people out there who saw something or know something.”
Mayor and Officials Respond
City officials, including Mayor Cherelle Parker, issued statements Monday morning condemning the violence and offering condolences to the victims and their families.
“This level of gun violence is unacceptable and heartbreaking,” Mayor Parker said. “Our communities cannot continue to suffer like this. We will use every resource available to bring justice to the victims and safety to our neighborhoods.”
Local clergy and violence prevention organizations have already mobilized in the Greys Ferry area to support grieving families and provide trauma care to those affected.
A City Already Wounded
Philadelphia, like many major cities across the country, has been grappling with a surge in gun violence, and this incident adds another tragic chapter to a year already marked by far too many senseless shootings. The Greys Ferry massacre stands as one of the worst single-night mass shootings in the city in recent years.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
As investigators continue to search for answers and families begin the process of mourning, the community is left to grapple with the trauma, fear, and heartbreak of yet another night shattered by gunfire.
We remember those lost and pray for healing for the wounded and for a city still struggling to find peace amid the storm of violence.