Teen Arrested After Shooting at West Philadelphia Recreation Center Injures Five People
A 17-year-old has been arrested following a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday afternoon at the Christy Recreation Center in West Philadelphia, resulting in injuries to five individuals, including a 10-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl. The suspect, identified as Keon Kiah, voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement authorities on Friday night.
Kiah is accused of discharging a firearm near the recreational center’s swimming pool, which was populated by numerous individuals, predominantly children, on an exceedingly hot day. As a consequence of this incident, he faces significant legal repercussions, including 13 counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and related offenses.
In the wake of the shooting, police released surveillance footage showing four individuals who are believed to have participated in the event. The footage captured these individuals, one of whom carried a black duffel bag and another with a dark-colored backpack, as they traversed 56th Street and crossed Christian Street toward the recreation center. Additional video from other angles depicts them fleeing the crime scene shortly after the shooting.
According to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, an altercation had taken place earlier that day at the recreation center, prompting staff and a police officer to intervene. Following this incident, several individuals who were involved returned to the vicinity just after 4 p.m. and began firing at bystanders on 56th Street, although their aim was not directed at those inside the pool.
As it stands, law enforcement has not disclosed the identities of the other suspects who are still being sought. The shooting resulted in a range of injuries, with the 10-year-old and 11-year-old, along with a 32-year-old recreation center employee, sustaining graze wounds. Additionally, two 16-year-olds were shot, one in the face and the other in the hip. Reportedly, the teen who was shot in the face remains in critical condition at this time.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from both the mayor and the police commissioner, marking it as the third shooting in Philadelphia within a week to involve multiple victims, including minors. While the recreation center will remain closed for the remainder of the week, the pool is expected to reopen for limited hours on Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. Media News Source will continue to monitor the developments surrounding this case and its implications for community safety.
