LEANNE MATLACH
CHRIS STOVER
The Temple News
Philadelphia Police have confirmed shots fired at the intersection of 15th and Norris streets early Wednesday morning.
Lt. Quaiser of the Philadelphia Police Department confirmed at the scene that an 18-year-old female, a non-Temple student, was shot in the chest and taken to Temple Hospital. There is no word on the victim’s identity or condition.
Witnesses said as many as five shots were fired outside of a security kiosk by the turf field shortly before midnight Tuesday. The kiosk has bullet holes in it, and the security guard who was in the booth at the time is fine.
Temple Police said the victim was shot while standing in front of the security kiosk and talking to the guard on duty.
After the shots were fired, people in the area began screaming and huddling, witnesses said. Police closed access to Norris Street from Broad Street after the incident. The scene was mostly cleared by 2:10 a.m.
Police took about nine witnesses, including some Temple students, to Police Headquarters for statements. No suspects have been named at this time.
“My friends were walking home from 7-Eleven and the streets were blocked off. I came outside and the cops were everywhere,” junior journalism major Audra Neff-Williams said.
“I called Temple Police, trying to find out what happened, and they said they could not provide any information,” senior business major Mike Sweet said. “I think we have a right to know what’s going on. No TU-Alert was sent out.”
As of 2:10 a.m., no TU-Alert was sent by the university. Temple tested the system last Friday.
“I understand that cops won’t say anything at crime scenes, but Temple’s whole thing is the TU-Alert,” Sweet said. “I mean, they just tested it [a few] days ago.”
Facilities Management planned to board up the kiosk in the early morning. Temple Police said another security guard will be on duty at that location later today.
Stay with temple-news.com for continuing updates on this developing story.
Chris Stover and LeAnne Matlach can be reached at templenews@gmail.com.
