2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: News
One dead, two injured in shooting
Cop hit by gunfire outside nightclub at 38th and Chestnut streets early Sunday morning
Katie Karas
Members of Philadelphia Police Homicide Division, which is investigating the case, would not say if there would be a seperate investigation into police conduct and referred all questions to Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson, who could not be reached for comment.
Coan said police believe there were other shooters, though there are conflicting reports of how many.
Multiple people were seen being detained by police at the scene. Coan said that no charges have been filed, and that there are no suspects besides Bembry, who had a prior record. Police would not comment on why people were detained or when they were released.
The incident occurred a block north of campus, and many students living in Hamilton Court and Chestnut Hall, both located at 39th and Chestnut streets, said they could clearly hear the shots.
"I thought it was fireworks at first," said College and Wharton sophomore Alok Pandey, who lives in Hamilton Court. "Then when I heard all the yelling and sirens I realized what had happened."
The shooting was one of several incidents involving gunfire that have occurred on the north side of campus over the last few years.
A gunshot was reported at 40th and Market streets on Aug. 15, and an 18-year-old unaffiliated with the University was shot in the face on the 4500 block of Sansom street the day before.
A man was also killed on the 3900 block of Market Street this past December, and Engineering senior Mari Oishi was struck by a stray bullet during an attempted robbery at 39th and Chestnut streets in January 2006.
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said the incident was indicative of a larger problem Philadelphia has with violence at its nightclubs.
"It is just another example of how easy it is for people to have guns and how quickly an argument in a nightclub can escalate," she said.
- Staff Writer Jerome Chen contributed reporting to this article.
Coan said police believe there were other shooters, though there are conflicting reports of how many.
Multiple people were seen being detained by police at the scene. Coan said that no charges have been filed, and that there are no suspects besides Bembry, who had a prior record. Police would not comment on why people were detained or when they were released.
The incident occurred a block north of campus, and many students living in Hamilton Court and Chestnut Hall, both located at 39th and Chestnut streets, said they could clearly hear the shots.
"I thought it was fireworks at first," said College and Wharton sophomore Alok Pandey, who lives in Hamilton Court. "Then when I heard all the yelling and sirens I realized what had happened."
The shooting was one of several incidents involving gunfire that have occurred on the north side of campus over the last few years.
A gunshot was reported at 40th and Market streets on Aug. 15, and an 18-year-old unaffiliated with the University was shot in the face on the 4500 block of Sansom street the day before.
A man was also killed on the 3900 block of Market Street this past December, and Engineering senior Mari Oishi was struck by a stray bullet during an attempted robbery at 39th and Chestnut streets in January 2006.
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said the incident was indicative of a larger problem Philadelphia has with violence at its nightclubs.
"It is just another example of how easy it is for people to have guns and how quickly an argument in a nightclub can escalate," she said.
- Staff Writer Jerome Chen contributed reporting to this article.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 9
Penn parent alum
posted 10/29/07 @ 7:08 AM EST
GUN CONTROL, gun control, gun control. A huge thank you to the police for containing the incident and the creature who could have killed them and others. (Continued…)
Another Penn parent alum
posted 10/29/07 @ 7:50 AM EST
Gun control is not really the answer to this problem. Notice how Maureen Rush blames this incident on the city of Philadelphia. This is her answer to everything. (Continued…)
Another Parent
posted 10/29/07 @ 9:57 AM EST
I also notice Penn is always out of the loop when it comes to neighborhood safety despite the big security budget. The Penn Police is not even mentioned here in the story. (Continued…)
MA Penn Parent
posted 10/29/07 @ 10:22 AM EST
Perhaps it's time for a gun control demonstration by the countless students attending schools in the greater Philadelphia area. If it's done right, the citizenry also held hostage by the appalling gun laws will join in and demand answers from those who have created and maintained the status quo. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 10/29/07 @ 11:08 AM EST
Gun control only keeps guns out of the hands of law-obiding citizens. More guns are the answer. Why do you think criminals prey on Penn students? They know they won't fight back. (Continued…)
KoKo
posted 10/29/07 @ 2:08 PM EST
This bees just another afro-american incident!
Local resident
posted 10/30/07 @ 8:39 AM EST
The comment attributed to Maureen Rush troubles me. The other Phila. cop Coan contradicts Rush's "another example" of an argument that spilled out to the street. (Continued…)
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