Three people, including a teen boy, are in the hospital after a man followed his ex-girlfriend home, leading to a massive shootout between two groups in West Philadelphia Saturday morning, according to police.

The ordeal began around 8 a.m. as a 21-year-old woman, her 19-year-old neighbor, 16-year-old brother and 2-year-old daughter went into a store in the area of 49th and Haverford Avenue to get breakfast.

As the group left the store, the woman was confronted by her 21-year-old ex-boyfriend, police said. The man asked her for money and the two began arguing, according to investigators. The woman then left with her neighbor, daughter and brother and drove away. Unbeknownst to them, the ex-boyfriend and three of his friends followed the woman as she drove home, according to investigators.

The woman, her daughter and 16-year-old brother later arrived at their home on the 100 block of S. 55th Street and went inside while her 19-year-old neighbor stood outside. Police say the woman’s ex-boyfriend and his three friends then arrived and confronted the 19-year-old neighbor. An argument ensued leading to the ex-boyfriend and his friends pulling out guns and opening fire on the 19-year-old man, police said.

The 19-year-old man ran into his home as the ex-boyfriend and his friends continued to shoot at him. At the time, the 19-year-old man’s father and two brothers were inside his home. As the shooting continued, the 19-year-old man’s family members grabbed their own weapons, which police say they legally owned, and began opening fire at the 21-year-old and his three friends, leading to a massive shootout.

During the shooting, the 21-year-old man's 15-year-old friend was struck in the groin and leg while his 24-year-old friend was also struck in the leg. The 19-year-old man’s 25-year-old brother was also struck in the stomach.

The 24-year-old man is in stable condition while the 15-year-old boy and 25-year-old man are both in critical condition. No one else was injured during the shooting.

Police say the 21-year-old ex-boyfriend as well as his 24-year-old friend who was shot in the leg will face charges. Police are still deciding whether the 15-year-old boy who was shot as well as a fourth member of the ex-boyfriend’s group will face charges as well.

Police also said that the 19-year-old man’s family members who opened fire on the 21-year-old ex-boyfriend’s group will not face charges since they were defending themselves.

Philadelphia Police Lieutenant John Walker said they recovered four guns from the scene of the shooting, including a shotgun.

“These young men clearly have to resolve these situations in a better way,” Lieutenant Walker said. “There’s no reason to be firing a gun at 9:30 in the morning on a city street.”

Police continue to investigate the incident.



