Social Media Taunts, Schoolyard Fights Led To Series Of Retaliatory Shootings In Philadelphia, Investigators Say

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Social media taunts and schoolyard fights have led to a series of retaliatory shootings in Philadelphia, according to investigators. One incident left an 8-year-old child hurt.

These seven shootings that happened from 2018-2019 and rocked parts of West and Southwest Philly can be partly blamed on teenage gang violence, says Philadelphia’s Gun Violence Task Force.

“We found that those groups were engaged in violence of escalation fueled by shootings as well as social media and something as simple as schoolyard disagreements,” said Jeffrey Palmer with the task force.

One of the incidents, a triple shooting in West Philadelphia, happened back in November 2018.

That’s when, police say, a 15-year-old and 16-year old were chased and shot by a rival.

A stray ... (Read more)

Latest News