Latest news with #FairmountPark
CBS News
4 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Gun violence a focus in Philadelphia today as mayor plans vigil for Fairmount Park mass shooting victims
Philadelphia is standing against gun violence Tuesday with two events, one week after the fatal mass shooting on Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park. The shooting late on Memorial Day killed 21-year-old Mikhail Bowers and 23-year-old Amya Devlin. Nine other people were hurt. Families have held their own balloon release events and have mourned those lost as police continue looking for the shooters involved. Investigators now say six guns were used, though the number of people who fired those guns is unclear. The shooting in the final week of May came just before June, also known as Gun Violence Awareness Month. Mayor Cherelle Parker plans to address gun violence in a joint press conference at 12 p.m. along with several other city leaders, including Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer and members of the Office of Safe Neighborhoods. You can watch that news conference live at the player above or wherever CBS News Philadelphia is streaming. Then at 6 p.m., Parker and other officials are set to take part in a community prayer vigil at Lemon Hill. "This gathering will provide a space for collective mourning, reflection, and healing while fostering dialogue on community safety and the ongoing challenges related to gun violence. The vigil will include a series of prayers, moments of silence, and opportunities for community members to share their thoughts," the city says in a news release. Everyone attending Tuesday night's event is encouraged to bring candles, flowers or personal mementos to honor those lost. This is a developing story and will be updated.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia community gathers in grief to remember man killed in shooting at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park
A community gathered in grief, sending balloons and prayers into the sky on Friday as Philadelphia police continue to search for the people behind the deadly Memorial Day shooting in Fairmount Park. James Hargrove sat on the steps of a house where his 21-year-old grandson, Mikhail Bowers, had grown up years ago in North Philadelphia. "I'm hurting, but I can't cry. I've been crying too much," said Hargrove. "He didn't deserve this." CBS Philadelphia Mikhail Bowers was killed in Monday's mass shooting at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, along with 23-year-old Amya Devlin. Police said nine others were injured. "He's a good young man. He had two kids. He tries to make ends meet," Hargrove said. "He just left so early at 21. And for the other families, I pray for them. I'm sorry for them, too." Across the street was a massive balloon release in Bowers' honor at a school yard on Norris and 30th streets. Red and black balloons could be seen up and down the street, as everyone gathered together to let the balloons go up in the air. CBS Philadelphia Bowers' grandmother, Wanda Bowers, said she feels the love, too, as everyone greeted her with hugs. "When you see it on the news, but you never think it will hit home, but it did," she said. As for the latest update on the investigation, police are still looking for the people responsible for the shooting. They said no arrests have been made, but detectives believe five guns were used. "I am going to miss my cousin, and I just hope that the gun violence in Philadelphia will stop for once," said Averi Warren. The family said they will move forward in the only way they know how. "We just gotta keep on going. Take care of his kids. That's all I can do," said Wanda Bowers. CBS Philadelphia
CBS News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Philadelphia police beef up security for 2025 Roots Picnic, days after Fairmount Park mass shooting
Security top of mind ahead of Roots Picnic weekend after mass shooting in Fairmount Park Security top of mind ahead of Roots Picnic weekend after mass shooting in Fairmount Park Security top of mind ahead of Roots Picnic weekend after mass shooting in Fairmount Park Philadelphia police are beefing up security now that the Roots Picnic weekend has arrived. The two-day hip hop and R&B festival at the Mann Center in Fairmount Park draws tens of thousands of people annually. This year, heightened security is in place after a mass shooting in the same area that left two people dead and nine others injured on Memorial Day. Police are planning to deploy uniformed and undercover officers at the Roots Picnic. They are also working to prevent large, unsanctioned gatherings at the event. "We have a whole bureau of people in our intelligence bureau who do nothing but watch social media," Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said. "We have these incidents where these car groups like to meet up, so we're constantly monitoring social media and reacting to what we see there." Some festivalgoers said they welcome the extra police presence. "I'm glad that Philly is taking that cautious effort to make sure we have a heightened police presence because we do want people to feel safe there," Peter Jordan from Richmond, Virginia, said. This year's lineup includes several notable artists, including Philadelphia native and rap legend Meek Mill. Lenny Kravitz, Maxwell, GloRilla, Miguel and Tems will also take the stage. "It's my second year going," Jaden Gibson from West Philadelphia said. "I'm excited to see some new faces there." Eventgoers said they look forward to the music and the vibes. "I'm super excited," Robert Schwartz, co-founder of ACX1 Studios in Atlantic City, New Jersey, said. "It was supposed to rain. It's going to be a beautiful weekend. So many talented, amazing artists."
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
5 guns believed to be involved in Lemon Hill shooting at Fairmount Park, Philadelphia police say
As Philadelphia police continue investigating the mass shooting that killed two people and injured nine in Fairmount Park on Memorial Day, investigators have an update on the number of guns involved. It's now believed that five guns were fired in the incident late Monday night at Lemon Hill in the city's Fairmount Park, Deputy Philadelphia Police Commissioner Frank Vanore told CBS News Philadelphia on Thursday. The shooting killed 23-year-old Amya Devlin and 21-year-old Mikhail Bowers and was captured in multiple videos posted to social media, which police are reviewing as evidence in the case. Earlier this week, police revealed that three different types of shell casings were found at the scene, leading Mayor Cherelle Parker to say in a news conference that at least three shooters were involved. Vanore said ballistic evidence showed five guns fired the shell casings that investigators found in the park. "There were three different 9 millimeters, so there were five weapons that were fired during that event," Vanore said. The other guns were a .40 caliber and a .45 caliber. Philadelphia police investigate a shooting that injured nine people and left two dead on Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. CBS News Philadelphia Some of the physical evidence from the scene is still being processed, Vanore said. "We are looking for more video and we are monitoring social media, because more and more and more information is pouring are popping up, and we're using that as part of our evidence," Vanore said. Vanore said it was too early to say whether five guns being involved means five shooters. It's possible one person could have had multiple guns — all the evidence says right now is that five different guns were fired, he explained. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is working with police firearms investigators to see if the casings match those recovered in other shootings, information that could help police track down suspects.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Philadelphia pastor who works with teens in prison says listening is key to preventing gun violence
It's Dr. Damone Jones' life's work and passion to help young people in the criminal justice system, many charged as adults. He's the senior pastor of Bible Way Baptist Church and president of the BrothaHood Foundation, a basketball mentoring organization that goes to Philadelphia prisons. After Monday's deadly mass shooting on Lemon Hill Drive in Fairmount Park, he's reflecting on that work. "It's a balance between being concerned for people who are suffering as a result of gun violence in our city and across the nation, but also an attempt to change the hearts and minds of people who may have been involved in causing those problems," he said. Jones said many teens come from broken families and communities, and he uses basketball to break the ice and show them life isn't over. "It's an interesting experience. It can also be a little depressing to see children in cells ... and incarcerated," he said. "But when you sit one-on-one with a lot of these kids, you'll find out they are very similar to any other kids that you may interact with. Feelings, hurts, fears, they love, they trust." Jones said Monday's shooting broke his heart. "I know what the outcome is, I mean, pretty often it's either going to be jail for an extended period of time, or somebody is going to lose their life," he said. He said he uses current events to show them how they can be better. "We do have open conversations about that kind of thing. I learn a lot from them about what's happening on the streets and why it's happening and we just simply try to help them see that there are other pathways to take," he said. He hopes when people get out, they will contribute to society. He says building relationships and listening is key. "If you understand where they are, then you can begin to help them," Jones said. "But most people don't want to listen long enough ... because our focus is only on whatever that action it is that caused them to be there."
