A celebration for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl victory turned violent on Friday afternoon when two women were shot near the parade area. The incident happened around 2:35 p.m. on the 2300 block of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, while Eagles players and officials were giving speeches at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
How the Fight Started
According to police, a 27-year-old woman and her boyfriend tried to cut in line for the porta-potties, which led to an argument with others waiting. The situation quickly became heated, and someone in the crowd punched the boyfriend, starting a large fight.
During the chaos, a gunman pulled out a weapon and started shooting. The 27-year-old woman was hit in the calf, and a 20-year-old bystander was shot in the thigh. Neither of them were critically injured.
Victims’ Condition & Police Investigation
Both victims were immediately taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and are now in stable condition. Meanwhile, detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses to identify the shooter. As of Friday evening, no arrests had been made, and the police had not found the weapon.
Parade Chaos & Other Incidents
This was the most serious incident reported during the parade, but police had to deal with several other disturbances throughout the day. Officers responded to:
- Fights breaking out in the crowds
- People climbing onto vehicles
- Beer-throwing incidents
- Medical emergencies, including injuries and unresponsive individuals
Authorities have not yet shared the total number of arrests or incidents from the celebration, but the festivities were expected to continue late into the night in Center City, Philadelphia.
Ongoing Investigation
The police are still searching for the shooter and asking for any witnesses to come forward. They are also reviewing security camera footage from the area to identify suspects.
Despite the shooting, the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade was largely a joyful event for thousands of fans. However, incidents like this highlight the need for better crowd control and safety measures at large public gatherings.
