The shooting happened just after 9:45 p.m. in the 2500 block of Spring Garden while the fireworks were still in progress.
Sources tell Action News they believe the gunfire broke out from a location in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art but behind the main stage at Eakins Oval.
Those in attendance at the celebration could be seen running down Ben Franklin Parkway after gunfire broke out.
A 36-year-old Philadelphia Police Department officer suffered a head injury. He has been with the police for 14 years.
A photo shared by FOP Lodge #5 president John McNesby showed a bullet lodged in the officer’s hat.
From FOP President John McNesby: He just left the hospital after spending time with injured officers. He says they are both ok and alert. He says angels grazed officer in the head. The bullet hit his cap. He shared this photo @6abc pic.twitter.com/ZqZcUWoKc1
— Sharifa Jackson 6abc (@SharifaJackson) July 5, 2022
“It’s amazing that the bullet went into his hat. He went in, I think, initially, hit his forehead, and then the bullet went into his hat,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said at a news conference shortly after midnight. Tuesday.
The second officer, a 44-year-old deputy sheriff of Montgomery County assigned to the bomb-call task force, suffered an abrasion to the right shoulder. The sheriff’s deputy, a 16-year veteran, assisted the Philadelphia Police Department, as law enforcement officers from surrounding counties often do during major city events.
Both officers were taken to Jefferson University Hospital, where they were treated and released early Tuesday morning.
The highway patrol and other Philadelphia Police officers stood in formation outside the hospital, saluting and applauding the injured officers as they headed home to recover.
One of the injured officers was seen with a bandage on his head.
The names of those agents have not been released.
RELATED: ‘Like the running of the bulls’: Witnesses describe chaotic scene at Party on the Parkway shooting
Outlaw said the officers heard no shots.
There has been no word so far about a suspect or any arrests in this shooting. Police are asking anyone with information, or who may have photos or video of the shooting, to call them at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
The circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation.
Outlaw said it was not yet known whether the shooting was intentional or whether the officers were hit by stray bullets — or whether the bullets came from celebratory gunfire.
Mayor Jim Kenney, who also attended the press conference, didn’t mince words when asked about the city’s gun crisis.
“If I had the opportunity to provide weapons, I would. But the legislature won’t let us. The US Congress won’t let us. The governor is doing his best. Our attorney general is doing his best. But this is a gun country. It’s insane,” he said.
“We are the most armed country in world history and we are one of the least safest,” he continued. “So, you know, until Americans decide they want to give up guns and the ability to get guns, we’re going to have this problem.”
This shooting comes just hours after gunfire at a Fourth of July parade in Illinois.
Six people were killed and dozens more injured in a Chicago suburb of Highland Park. In that case, an interested party is currently incarcerated.
Copyright © 2022 WPVI TV. All rights reserved.