Two young adults were killed and nine others wounded when multiple gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered for Memorial Day celebrations at Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on May 26, 2025. The shooting occurred around 10:27 p.m. on Lemon Hill Drive near Poplar Drive, where hundreds of people had assembled for holiday cookouts and gatherings.
Police identified the deceased victims as Amya Devlin, 23, and Mikhail Bowers, 21, both of whom were pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The nine wounded victims ranged in age from 15 to 28 years old and were transported to multiple hospitals including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Temple University Hospital, and Lankenau Medical Center. All injured victims were reported in stable condition.
The wounded included three juveniles: a 15-year-old boy shot in the thigh, a 16-year-old girl shot in the thigh, and a 17-year-old girl shot in the leg. Adult victims sustained gunshot wounds to various parts of their bodies, including the head, nose, hand, foot, and arm. One additional person was injured after being struck by a vehicle during the chaos that followed the shooting.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel indicated that three different shooters were involved in the attack, based on evidence recovered at the scene. Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed that investigators found three different types of shell casings, with at least 21 total casings discovered in the area. Parker stated, “we know that there were three shooters thus far.”
Investigators believe at least one of the weapons used in the shooting was equipped with a “switch” device that converts semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. Bethel expressed confidence that such a device was used based on the rapid-fire gunshots captured in social media videos of the incident. He noted that weapons modified with switches can fire through a 20-round magazine in seconds and described the sound as resembling warfare.
Police officers were already present in Fairmount Park when the shooting occurred, having been called around 8:15 p.m. to manage large crowds. Officers were still working to disperse people when the gunfire erupted approximately 100 feet from their location. Bethel noted that managing crowds in the park during warm weather and holidays presents ongoing challenges for law enforcement.
The shooting investigation includes analysis of multiple social media videos that captured the gunfire. A TikTok video filmed from inside a vehicle driving near the park recorded the sound of rapid gunshots, with voices in the background suggesting a switch device was used. Police are examining these videos as part of their effort to identify the shooters and determine the motive behind the attack.
No weapons have been recovered from the scene, and no arrests have been made as of May 27, 2025. Police discovered several abandoned vehicles in the area, including a blue Dodge that had been reported stolen, though its connection to the shooting remains unclear. Law enforcement sources suggested the investigation is examining whether the shooting was targeted, though officials have not confirmed this direction publicly.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office announced it is working with local, state, and federal partners to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the violence. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also involved in the investigation, particularly regarding the suspected use of illegal firearm modifications.
Parker addressed concerns about upcoming events in the park, particularly the Roots Picnic music festival scheduled for the following weekend at the Mann Center within Fairmount Park. Bethel assured the public that police would deploy significant resources for that event and expressed confidence in maintaining safety. He also announced plans to increase police presence in the park and implement new intelligence gathering methods to prevent future incidents.
The shooting occurred during Memorial Day celebrations when families and groups had gathered throughout the day for cookouts and holiday activities. Witnesses reported that approximately 1,000 people were in the area when the shooting began, with many describing it as a drive-by attack. The incident represents a significant challenge for Philadelphia police in managing large gatherings while preventing gun violence in public spaces.
