Philadelphia playground shooting: 3 suspects on the loose after 5 people shot, police sources say

PHILADELPHIA - Three of six suspects are on the run after nearly 100 shots were fired near a playground in West Philadelphia on Tuesday night, according to law enforcement sources.

Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department responded to the 400 block of North 57th Street around 7 p.m. after hearing gunshots. 

Police found five people between the ages of 17 and 25 suffering from gunshot wounds, including a teenager and a 21-year-old who were shot in the head. Two others, ages 17 and 25, suffered graze wounds and a 22-year-old was shot in the hand. 

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One of the victims, according to investigators, was behind the wheel of a BMW when he unknowingly drove into the gunfire and was struck. Two of the victims were reportedly innocent bystanders. Police say one had a permit to carry, but it's unknown if he fired his gun.

Investigators believe the shooting happened when two shooters in a white SUV fired multiple rounds and fled the scene. 

Law enforcement sources told FOX 29's Kelly Rule that video appears to show six shooters, instead of the four initially reported.  The suspects reportedly piled into a vehicle that drove away and later crashed on nearby Farson Street during a pursuit with police. 

The men jumped out of the car and tried to run from the officers, but three of them were taken into custody. Three other suspects are now reportedly being sought by police in connection to the shooting.

Police believe the shooting stemmed from an ongoing feud between two groups in the neighborhood, according to sources.

Multiple guns were later recovered from inside the car. Police said semiautomatic rounds and rifle rounds were among the nearly 100 spent shell casings found scattered across the street.

"It’s very troubling regardless of playground or not, people are in danger," Deputy Christine Coulter said. "It shouldn't be happening, and we work every day to suppress."

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw responded to the shooting on Twitter. 

"The proliferation of weapons in our communities is a major concern," Outlaw wrote. "But that doesn't absolve those who choose to pull the trigger."