Philadelphia's Top Cop Appeals To Public For Help Solving Weekend Shootings
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Five people were killed and 27 injured over the weekend in Philadelphia, in a spate of violence that has police and the mayor promising a strong response.
The sheer numbers of victims during the violent weekend is staggering, but some of the circumstances are particularly shocking.
On Saturday night, a gunman who was kicked out of a bar for smoking came back and fired through the door, killing one man and injuring five others (see related story).
On Sunday, a man was killed trying to defend his 14-year-old son from five youths who were beating him up when one of the attackers opened fire. Three young girls, aged 6 to 15, were wounded (another related story).
"It's just a tragic set of circumstances," said Philadelphia police commissioner Charles Ramsey today, "but I also think it shows just how violent it can become on the streets of our city."
Ramsey (center of top photo) says police will do whatever they have to do to keep order, but he also asked for the public's help.
"There are people out there right now that know exactly who's responsible for these crimes, and they need to speak up. We just cannot allow this to continue," the commissioner told reporters.
Reported by Pat Loeb, KYW Newsradio 1060
