1 man dead, 1 injured after shooting at West Philadelphia corner store, police say
One man is dead and another is injured after a shooting Wednesday afternoon in West Philadelphia, police say.
Police responded to a shooting at a grocery store at 54th and Race streets around 2:15 p.m. They found two 18-year-old victims with gunshot wounds. One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Medics took the other victim to Lankenau Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
"There needs to be some mental health for anyone who's involved in this, the families, the store owner, the children just getting out of school. Just thinking you're safe going to a store, and for something like this to happen ... My heart goes to everyone that's actually going through this, our community needs help," neighbor Michelle Sampson said.
Philadelphia police said officers found one gun at the scene and have taken one person into custody.
Police have not released details about what happened before the shooting.
The shooting happened at Marilin Grocery, a family-run business owned by Marilin Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said she wasn't inside the store at the time, but four employees were, including her brother. They were not injured, but she said it was a lot to experience.
"It is going to be difficult, you know, because all the time we have been thinking of them, because now the streets are really dangerous, you know," she said. "We've just been praying for everybody and especially for us."
Right now, they are cleaning up and trying to figure out their plan for the remainder of the week.
"We been in danger because, you know, the problem wasn't with us," she said.
"We love everybody," she added.
Michael Hundley, who lives in the neighborhood, said he knows the owners of the store.
"I know everyone in this neighborhood my entire life," Hundley said. "These are wonderful people."
