Police car with emergency lights at night.
Police car with emergency lights at night.

Teen turns himself in after poolside shooting injures five in West Philly

An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for 17-year-old Keon Kiah in connection with a shooting that left five people injured — including four minors — near a packed West Philadelphia recreation center on Wednesday afternoon.

The shooting erupted around 56th and Christian Street, near the Christy Recreation Center Pool, which was open and occupied at the time. Investigators say Kiah discharged a firearm following an earlier altercation in the area. Multiple rounds were fired in the direction of the rec center, which was filled with children and staff.

Two children and a recreation center employee sustained graze wounds. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the face and remains in critical condition. Another 16-year-old was shot in the hip.

Authorities believe Kiah and a group of individuals returned to the scene after a dispute earlier that day. Kiah surrendered Thursday evening to the Shooting Investigation Group.

He faces 13 counts each of Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person, along with related charges.

Key Points

  • Keon Kiah, 17, is accused of firing near a crowded West Philly rec center, injuring five people
  • Victims include two children with graze wounds and a teen in critical condition with a gunshot to the face
  • Kiah turned himself in and is facing multiple felony charges

A teenage gunman is behind bars after gunfire near a community pool left children and staff ducking for cover.

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