An overnight mass shooting in Philadelphia has left three people dead and another 11 injured.
As reported by NBC News, police have confirmed that the shooting took place late on Saturday on South Street, near its intersection with Third Street at the north end of South Philadelphia. The area is known for being a hub for nightlife.
Officials from the Philadelphia Police Department tweeted the following message in the early hours of Sunday morning: "*Alert* Emergency personnel are responding to a shooting incident in the area of 3rd and South Streets. Several people have been injured. Please avoid the area."
Speaking at an early morning press conference, Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace told reporters that officers spotted several active shooters firing into a crowd.
Per 6ABC, at least two guns have been recovered from the scene - one of which had an extended magazine. Numerous shell casings were also found.
Pace told reporters: "You can imagine there were hundreds of individuals just enjoying South Street - as they do every single weekend - when this shooting broke out."
The three people killed in the attack included a woman and two men - with all three dying from multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
Speaking to FOX29, Pace said that "several individuals" pulled up to the corner in a red vehicle and opened fire on an 18-year-old male.
Associates of the teenager then arrived on the scene and started to open fire on the original shooters.
"We know that at least two to three gunmen were involved in this shootout. Detectives are currently processing the scene [...] there are between 65-75 shell casings strewn across the street," Pace added.
Pace added that an officer was able to fired at one of the gunmen, but it is still unclear whether or not the man was hit. Subsequently, the gunman dropped his weapon and fled the scene.
The conditions of those injured in the shooting have not been released.
Pace stated that the gunfire was the result of "a dispute over drug territory in this location".
Our thoughts go out to those affected by this tragedy...
