Delaware County gun trafficking ring allegedly linked to 2024 Philadelphia Eid shooting

PHILADELPHIA - Three men and two teens were charged in a Delaware County gun trafficking ring that investigators say is linked to the 2024 Philadelphia Eid al-Fitr event shooting.

District Attorney Larry Krasner announced charges against the suspects for their alleged roles in the production and straw purchase of several firearms.

One of the guns investigators linked to the group was allegedly used in a triple shooting that erupted last April during an Eid al-Fitr event in West Philadelphia. 

Five people were arrested, including four teenagers. Investigators do not believe the groups that exchanged gunfire were involved in the festival.

The backstory:

Three people were hurt on Apr. 10 when gunfire erupted at the Eid al-Fitr event in West Philadelphia to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

Hundreds of revelers ran for cover as investigators say dozens of shots were fired near a park just outside the Philadelphia Masjid mosque. 

Three people were injured by gunfire, including a 15-year-old suspect who was also shot by a responding police officer.

Four of the five people taken into custody were teenagers, and a 21-year-old man was also arrested.

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Philadelphia Eid event shooting injures 3, including teen shot by officer; 5 arrested

Multiple people were injured during a shooting at an Eid event in West Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon where around 1,000 attendees gathered to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

Although investigators say five guns were found at the crime scene, it's believed that just 13 of the over 30 shots were fired from those guns.

"We’re not just dedicated to the first five, we are dedicated to making sure anyone and everyone else involved is arrested," Krasner said after the shooting.

Investigators do not believe those who exchanged gunfire were part of the Eid al-Fitr event.

What we know:

Nearly a year after the triple shooting, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced charges against five alleged members of a Delaware County gun trafficking group.

One of the guns linked to the group is believed to have been used in the Eid al-Fitr shooting.

Investigators say the charges were a result of text messages that "indicated gun trafficking activity and the purchase of a Polymer 80 firearm-making kit."

Additional "firearm-making" materials were allegedly found at the home of Chase Freas, 19, who has been charged with six counts of sale or transfer of firearms.

Nicholas Luciani, 26, was charged with Prohibited Offensive Weapon. 

Authorities are still searching for 21-year-old Shane Scott, who was also charged Monday with one count of sale or transfer of firearms.

Investigators did not release the names of the two teens charged in the alleged gun trafficking operation.