July Fourth Event Shooting Causes Panic in Philadelphia

Debris left in the street as people fled as gunshots rang out on the Parkway during the July 4th fireworks show in Philadelphia on Monday, July 4, 2022. Two Philadelphia police officers working at the city’s Fourth of July celebration suffered graze wounds when shots rang out, causing scores of frightened people to flee the scene on foot. (Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

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By Associated Press

July 5, 2022 at 2:54 PM UTC

Updated on

July 5, 2022 at 8:02 PM UTC

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Philadelphia (AP) -- Scores of people watching a Fourth of July fireworks show in Philadelphia ran for cover when gunshots rang out, forcing them to leave behind strollers and other personal items as they sought refuge from what many feared was someone shooting into the crowd.

Two Philadelphia police officers working at the event suffered graze wounds when shots were fired shortly after the event started Monday in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum. The gunfire came just hours after a holiday shooting in suburban Chicago left at least seven people dead and at least 30 wounded.