Crime
Fairmount Park mass shooting victims identified as Mikhail Bowers and Amya Devlin
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Philadelphia police have identified the two individuals killed during a mass shooting late Monday night at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park.
The victims have been named as Amya Devlin, 23, and Mikhail Bowers, 21. The shooting also left nine others injured, all between the ages of 15 and 28, in what authorities describe as a chaotic and violent scene.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the 800 block of Lemon Hill Drive, near the historic Lemon Hill mansion.
According to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, all nine injured victims were transported to area hospitals and are currently reported to be in stable condition.
The hospitals involved in the response include Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Temple University Hospital, and Lankenau Medical Center.
In addition to the shooting victims, one other individual was struck by a vehicle during the ensuing panic and also transported for medical care, police said.
Commissioner Bethel stated the shooting took place as multiple groups of people had gathered in the park, with some beginning to pack up for the night.
The motive remains unclear, and authorities have not yet determined whether the gunfire was exchanged between the groups or initiated by one party.
During a press briefing, Mayor Cherelle Parker revealed that investigators recovered three different types of shell casings at the scene, indicating the presence of at least three shooters.
“I was unfortunately informed that because they found three different types of casings, we know that there were three shooters thus far. So it is not one,” said Mayor Parker.
No arrests have been made, and no firearms have been recovered at this time.
The Philadelphia Police Crime Scene Unit is continuing to analyze evidence, including the shell casings, to determine the number of weapons used and their caliber.
Commissioner Bethel also noted that one of the weapons involved is believed to have been modified with a “switch” device, converting it from semi-automatic to fully automatic. Such a modification, he said, could enable the firearm to discharge up to 17 rounds in less than two seconds.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the Philadelphia Police Department as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”