Latest news with #MikhailBowers
CBS News
a day 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
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Heartbroken family, friends hold balloon release for man killed in Fairmount Park shooting
The Brief It was a solemn evening in North Philadelphia as friends, family and community members released balloons Friday evening honoring one of the victims of Monday's deadly shooting. 21-year-old Mikhail Bowers, loved by many in his Philly community, was remembered as a young father whose life was tragically cut short. NORTH PHILADELPHIA - A young father was honored and remembered Friday night as family, friends and his community gathered to release balloons following his tragic death in the Fairmount Park deadly Memorial Day shooting. A family's grief "This is where he came up. He would've loved to be right here," James Hargrove, Mikhail's grandfather, said. Hargrove said Bowers would have loved being among his friends, family and neighbors at 30th and Norris, where he grew up. Hargrove is hoping those who survived the shooting and saw the shooters will help investigators learn who shot and killed Mikhail and 23-year-old Amya Devlin and wounded nine others on Lemon Hill Monday night. "Whoever is listening, it's not about the money, the reward. Bring some justice for him, because you don't need people on the street like that, shooting in the crowd. There could be babies and all that, you know what I mean? I'm hurting, but I can't cry. I've been crying too much," Hargrove remarked. What they're saying Mikhail's family was overwhelmed to see they have an even bigger family, showing up to honor the 21-year-old father of two. With red and black balloons and others spelling out his name, gathering on the playground Mikhail spent so much time on as a child. His grandmother, Wanda Bowers, said, "It's good everyone's coming up to me, telling me how much my grandson was loved around here. You see it on the news, but you never think it will hit home but it did. They need to stop with the gun violence. I don't really know what to say, Steve. They just need to stop with the gun violence." Heartbreaking loss People of all ages turned out to honor Mikhail and all were trying to make sense of the senseless. Mikhail's aunt, Valerie Matthews, said, "Keep in mind, he was lost. He was taken away for no reason at all. He was a good guy. He was a sweetheart, he loved to hug." "I'm gonna miss my cousin and I just hope that the gun violence in Philadelphia will stop for once," Averi Warren, Mikhail's cousin, said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Summer festivities continue at Fairmount Park despite recent deadly mass shooting
The Brief Parks on Tap, a traveling beer garden throughout Philadelphia's neighborhoods, will be in Lemon Hill May 28–June 1. This comes just days after a mass shooting occurred in the Lemon Hill area on Memorial Day, leaving two killed and nine others injured. PHILADELPHIA - Days after a tragic shooting during a Memorial Day party in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia residents are returning to the park to enjoy summer festivities. Despite the violence, the community is determined to focus on positive experiences and continue celebrating in the city. The backstory Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 800 block of Lemon Hill Drive around 10:30 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Police reported that two people were killed, and nine others were injured when nearly two dozen shots erupted at a Memorial Day gathering. Amya Devlin, 23, and Mikhail Bowers, 21, were identified as the two people that were killed in the shooting. Six of the nine shooting victims were teenagers, according to police, including a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. All of those injured are in stable condition. Investigators at the scene Monday night were able to find 21 shell casings and after further searches early Tuesday morning, they found about a dozen more. What's New Philadelphia police have confirmed that five different guns were used in the shooting at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, initially believed to involve three shooters. The incident left crime scene tape marking the area, but the community is moving forward with events like Parks on Tap at the mansion, just steps away from where the shooting occurred. What they're saying Emily Della Rosa, attending with her newborn daughter Audrey, expressed confidence in the safety of the event: "I would never bring my daughter to something where I didn't feel perfectly safe." Dailey Delia, a Parks on Tap patron, acknowledged the city's violence but emphasized resilience: "Obviously there's a lot of violence throughout the city, all kinds of neighborhoods, and I think it's part of city living that you just sort of accept that risk and keep pushing on." Danielle Kudlacik shared her initial hesitation but decided to attend: "I did think about it. And I was like, hmmmm, I don't know if we should switch, but I didn't hear anything differently, so I was like, OK, I bet you if I still go out. If they haven't announced we're not doing it, then we're probably still fine to come out here." Alison Mesko appreciated the community's spirit: "Obviously it's horrible that it happened, but I'm glad that people are still out enjoying the night and that we're still able to get together." Jimmy Segilia highlighted the importance of continuing events: "You're living in a city, things are gonna happen sometimes, but it's bad when you see a couple of bad apples kind of ruin it for everyone else. I think it's important that they're still doing this event and know that it's a safe area, so I felt OK coming today." Local Perspective Philadelphia police presence added a sense of security as families enjoyed food and draft beers. Gary Kiefer, organizer of It's Better Outdoors, noted, "I know some people from my group were probably a little hesitant to come back out, but as of this morning, we still had about 50 people coming out tonight. It's horrible, obviously, but we're still gonna come out here because it's a cool spot." Rob Fumanti, a member of It's Better Outdoors, appreciated the park's appeal: "It's awesome, good view, it's nice, great weather, so no last thing is gonna keep you away from this exactly, yeah." Erin Dunkel echoed the sentiment: "I figured it's gonna be just something from that holiday weekend, and this is a beautiful park, so why not take advantage of it." Emily Della Rosa concluded with a focus on positivity: "You have to focus on the positive things in life, like having great coworkers and having a good time together. That's what it's all about."
CBS News
3 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
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Philadelphia mass shooting at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park leaves 2 dead, 9 wounded. Here's what we know.
A mass shooting in Philadelphia at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park on Memorial Day left two adults dead and nine others injured, police said on Tuesday. Here's what we know about the shooting. How many people were shot at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, and who are the victims? The mass shooting at Fairmount Park on Monday night left a man and a woman dead and injured nine other people. Philadelphia police identified the two people who were killed as 23-year-old Amya Devlin and 21-year-old Mikhail Bowers. The shooting wounded nine other people, including three minors, according to police. Police said a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old were both shot in their left thigh. A 17-year-old girl was shot in her left leg, police said. Here are the six people who were injured in the shooting: An 18-year-old woman was shot in the foot A 19-year-old woman was shot in the head A 19-year-old woman was shot in the left hand A 20-year-old man was shot in his left arm A 23-year-old woman was shot in the nose A 28-year-old man was shot in his left arm The victims were taken to several hospitals, including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Temple University Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center. They were all placed in stable condition. One other person was injured during the shooting after they were hit by a car, according to police. Who are the suspects in the Philadelphia mass shooting? Philadelphia police haven't identified or released descriptions of any suspects so far, but officials said on Tuesday that they believe three shooters were involved. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that three different types of shell casings were found at the scene. So far, no weapons have been recovered and no one has been arrested, police said. What's the motive behind the Lemon Hill shooting? The motive for the shooting at Fairmount Park remains unclear as of Tuesday, officials said. The shooting happened on the 800 block of Lemon Hill Drive, near the Lemon Hill mansion, just before 10:30 p.m. on Monday, with Philadelphia police officers about 100 feet away. Officers were called out to the area at around 8:15 p.m. to break up a large crowd that lasted hours. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said officers were still working to clear people out when shots rang out. Law enforcement sources told CBS Philadelphia on Tuesday that the investigation is leading toward the shooting being targeted, and they are trying to determine who was going after whom. The Philadelphia Police Crime Scene Unit along with federal agents stage at the scene, search for and collect evidence following a Memorial Day shooting at Fairmount Park which killed two people and injured nine others. Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images Bethel didn't confirm that on Tuesday during a news conference at City Hall, saying that it wasn't clear whether the shooting was targeted. He also added it's not clear whether there was an exchange of gunfire involved. Sources in the department said a video posted on TikTok is one of the videos under investigation connected to the shooting. Bethel said he was confident that one of the weapons involved had a "switch" that converted it from semi-automatic to fully automatic, capable of firing 17 rounds in under two seconds. "It's pretty rapid fire, so we're pretty confident that there probably was a switch on this gun," Bethel said. "You cannot fire that many levels of bullets with such speed and time without it having some type of switch on it." Police said several cars were abandoned in the area of the shooting, including a blue Dodge that had been reported stolen. It's unknown if the car is connected to the shooting. Where is Lemon Hill located? Lemon Hill Mansion was built in 1800 by Henry Pratt, a wealthy merchant, as a centerpiece of his garden estate, according Park Charms, a consortium of historic house museums managed in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Fairmount Park Conservancy and house stewardship programs. The mansion overlooks the Schuylkill River and was once owned by Robert Morris, a founding father and financier of the American Revolution. The City of Philadelphia purchased the property in 1844 when creating the new Fairmount Park, according to Park Charms. Lemon Hill is set to host the FIFA Fan Festival in 2026 for the World Cup, and this weekend the Roots Picnic will be at the Mann Center across the Schuylkill River and within Fairmount Park. Philadelphia police will have a significant deployment of officers at that event, and leaders are confident the event will be safe, Bethel said. What officials said about Philadelphia mass shooting Parker said during Tuesday's news conference that there are "no excuses" for the shooting that unfolded at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park on Memorial Day. "This is a heinous act of violence that was inhumane, no regard for life," Parker said. "We will, in the city of Philadelphia, be unapologetic about making sure that the public health and safety our city and the people in the city is our number one priority. When you hear me say, 'no excuses,' I don't want anyone to tell me that what occurred in a place and space where families gather on a regular basis ... We will not be held hostage by anyone who decides that they want to get assault-like, war-like weaponry, guns with switches." Mayor Cherelle L. Parker makes a speech after the mass shooting in Fairmount Park that killed two people and injured nine people, including three teenagers, in Philadelphia on May 27, 2025. Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images Parker added later that the city is "not going back to those old stats," referencing the historic gun violence numbers in Philadelphia that spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I want to let you know that I am unapologetic about publicly affirming that we will work with every federal and state partner that is necessary to ensure that those who are responsible are held accountable for their actions," Parker said. Philadelphia City councilmember Curtis Jones, whose districts includes Lemon Hill, said that the city will fight to keep places like Fairmount Park safe. "We are not going to concede Lemon Hill," Jones said. "We are not going to concede Belmont Plateau. We are going to fight to keep that safe space for the citizens of Philadelphia, so if you want some help, come on down. But if you don't want help and you persist in your ways, we got space upstate for you."
