Philadelphia Police Chief Kevin Bethel addresses the media following a mass shooting on Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park on Memorial Day. (Credit: Fox 29)
A Memorial Day celebration in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park turned tragic late Monday night when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and nine others injured, including three teenagers.
The shooting occurred just before 10:30 p.m. near Lemon Hill Drive and Poplar Drive, an area that had been bustling with families and friends enjoying holiday festivities throughout the day.
According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, officers in the vicinity heard rapid gunfire and responded immediately.
"We try to manage the crowds as they unfold, but at the same token, it's a challenge when individuals decide that they're going to open fire into a crowd," Commissioner Bethel said during a late-night press briefing.
The deceased have been identified as an adult man and woman - 21-year-old Mikhail Bowers and 23-year-old Amya Devlin.
Among the injured are three teenagers, aged 15, 16, and 17, along with six other adults between the ages of 18-28. All injured individuals were transported to local hospitals, including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Temple University Hospital, and Lankenau Medical Center. As of Tuesday morning, all are reported to be in stable condition with gunshot wounds to extremities. One woman, a 23-year-old - was shot in the nose.
In the chaos following the gunfire, one individual was also struck by a vehicle and taken to the hospital.
“It was pretty rapid fire so we’re confident there was probably a switch on this gun.” @PhillyPolice Commissioner Bethel says video of Philadelphia Fairmount Park mass shooting of 11, sound like a gun had an illegal ‘switch’ making it fully automatic to fire like a machine gun. pic.twitter.com/sNQuganX10
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 27, 2025
Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the shooting. No weapons have been recovered, and no arrests have been made. Investigators are exploring the possibility that multiple firearms were used, including a modified weapon known as a "Glock switch," which can convert a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon.
The area around Lemon Hill remains closed as police continue their investigation. Commissioner Bethel emphasized the difficulty in managing large gatherings and the challenges posed when individuals choose to engage in violence despite police presence.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with people running for cover as shots rang out. "It was a drive-by," one witness told Fox29. "Everybody scattered. I saw two people drop."
Witnesses leaving Lemon Hill in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park where @PhillyPolice have a huge response now shutting down the park after witness reports of mass shooting with multiple victims. Listen to these young women tell me “They saw two people go down during the shooting.” pic.twitter.com/Ixbxrt898r
The incident has left the community shaken, particularly given the presence of families and children during the holiday celebration.
The Philadelphia Police Department urges anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477).
This shooting occurred in the vicinity of where the city plans to hold the FIFA Fan Fest next summer when the 2026 World Cup comes to the United States with a handful of games being played in Philadelphia.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
