The gunfire erupted near 10 a.m. on North 20th Street, striking a mother and her two adult children.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — A burst of gunfire on a North Philadelphia residential block Wednesday morning wounded three members of one family and alarmed neighbors as police began searching for whoever carried out the daytime attack.
The shooting happened just before 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at a home on the 2800 block of North 20th Street. Police said a 29-year-old man, his 27-year-old sister and their 49-year-old mother were wounded. The two younger victims were reported in stable condition at Temple University Hospital, while their mother was critically wounded but later expected to recover.
Investigators said the brother and sister were on the front porch when a gunman approached and opened fire. The siblings ran into the house, but authorities said the attacker followed them inside and continued shooting. Their mother was struck inside the home. Police believe the 29-year-old man was the intended target, although no motive has been announced.
The violence unfolded during the morning hours on a residential street as people in the surrounding neighborhood were beginning their daily routines. Residents interviewed after the shooting described hearing a rapid series of shots. Police blocked off a large section of the street while investigators examined the property and surrounding area.
Arlacey Chambers, who lives nearby, told 6abc that she heard what sounded like about 16 shots in quick succession. Another neighbor, Elyce Rivera, said the timing was particularly troubling because her husband had recently driven their children to school and regularly travels along the street.
Evidence indicated that the shooting extended from outside the home to its interior. Separate local reporting citing police said nearly two dozen shots were fired. The 29-year-old man was struck three times, the 27-year-old woman was shot six times and their mother was shot 11 times, according to authorities.
A relative of the family told 6abc she was approaching the house when the shooting occurred. She later spoke with her wounded sister and described the effect of the attack on the family as painful and distressing. Police have not publicly identified any of the three victims.
Authorities have not said whether the shooting stemmed from a dispute or another conflict. Investigators were also examining the possibility that a second gunman may have been involved, but police had not publicly confirmed that more than one shooter took part. No suspect description had been released.
No arrest had been announced as of Thursday. The Philadelphia Police Department’s Shooting Investigation Group remains responsible for the investigation as detectives work to determine a motive and identify the person or people who opened fire.
Author note: Last updated October 22, 2026.