PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Fourth of July weekend turned tragic in South Philadelphia when a mass shooting erupted on the 1500 block of South 27th Street in the Grays Ferry neighborhood, leaving three people dead and nine others injured just before 1 a.m. Monday morning.
Philadelphia Police say they are still searching for three suspects, seen in Ring surveillance video released late Monday night.
The Victims: Young Lives Cut Short
Among the deceased:
- Zahir Wylie, 23, shot in the chest.
- Jason Reese, 19, shot in the head.
- Azir Harris, 24, sustained multiple shots to the back.
Injuries ranged from gunshot wounds to arms and legs to life-threatening head injuries. Victims include four teenagers: two 17-year-olds, a 15-year-old girl, and an 18-year-old male now in critical condition.
One victim wasn’t shot but was hurt while fleeing the scene in panic.
140+ Shell Casings Found; Switch May Have Made Gun Automatic
Commissioner Kevin Bethel said nearly 140 pieces of ballistic evidence were recovered and confirmed that a gun switch, which makes a firearm automatic, may have been involved.
While one person was taken into custody with a weapon, their connection to the shooting remains unclear.
Police believe the scene involved an exchange of gunfire, and around 40 individuals may have been present when shots rang out.
Violence Amid Declining Crime Stats
Commissioner Bethel acknowledged this was one of several shootings over the weekend in Philadelphia, including:
- 8 people injured at a nightclub in South Philly.
- 4 more shot early Monday in West Philadelphia.
Despite this, Bethel stressed that South Philly has had the fewest shootings citywide in 2025, and overall homicides and shootings are down 12% and 10% year-over-year, respectively.
“This is a wake-up call,” said community leader Rickey Duncan. “Some of the victims were close friends. It hurts to see Philadelphia’s future end early.”
Read Also: 3 Killed, Thousands Without Power After Devastating Thunderstorms Hit New Jersey
A Community Grieves — Summer Camp Put on Hold
Just blocks away, Tyrique Glasgow of the Young Chances Foundation canceled the launch of his youth summer camp to support families in mourning.
“My tears don’t come from the pain,” he said. “They come from letting the kids down.”
How Do We Stop the Violence?
What more can the city do to protect its youth? Should tougher gun laws, curfews, or police presence be considered in high-risk areas?
Join the conversation at ridgecrestpact.org and share your voice below. Let’s build a safer Philly — together.
