Two people were killed and nine others wounded when multiple gunmen opened fire at a Memorial Day gathering in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on May 26, 2025, just before 10:30 p.m.
The shooting occurred on the 800 block of Lemon Hill Drive near the Lemon Hill mansion, where large crowds had assembled for holiday celebrations.
Police identified the deceased victims as Amya Devlin, 23, and Mikhail Bowers, 21, who were pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The nine wounded victims, ranging in age from 15 to 28 years old, were transported to multiple hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Temple University Hospital, and Lankenau Medical Center. All wounded victims were reported in stable condition.
The injured victims included three juveniles: a 15-year-old male shot in the left thigh, a 16-year-old female shot in the left thigh, and a 17-year-old female shot in the left leg. Adult victims sustained gunshot wounds to various parts of their bodies, including an 18-year-old woman shot in the foot, a 19-year-old woman shot in the head, another 19-year-old woman shot in the left hand, a 20-year-old man shot in the left arm, a 23-year-old woman shot in the nose, and a 28-year-old man shot in the left arm.
Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed during a May 27 press conference that investigators believe three shooters were involved in the attack. Parker explained that “because they found three different types of casings, we know that there were three shooters thus far.” Police recovered at least 21 shell casings from the scene, representing three different types of ammunition. Police later updated that they believed five shooters were responsible for the violence
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel indicated that investigators believe at least one weapon was modified with a device known as a “switch,” which converts a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon. Bethel noted the weapon’s rapid-fire capability, stating that firearms modified with switches can discharge 17 rounds in under two seconds and go through a magazine of 20 shots within seconds.
Social media videos captured the sound of gunfire during the incident, with investigators reviewing multiple recordings posted online. One TikTok video filmed from inside a vehicle near the park recorded the rapid bursts of gunfire, with voices in the background suggesting a switch device was used.
Police officers were already present in the park when the shooting occurred, having responded around 8:15 p.m. to manage large crowds gathered for Memorial Day activities. Bethel reported that officers were approximately 100 feet away when the gunfire erupted, as they continued working to disperse crowds who were beginning to pack up their celebrations.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one person telling local media the incident appeared to be a drive-by shooting during what they characterized as a cookout with around 1,000 attendees. Another victim was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle during the ensuing panic. Police discovered several abandoned cars in the area, including a blue Dodge that had been reported stolen, though its connection to the shooting remains unclear.
No weapons have been recovered and no arrests have been made, according to police officials. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies are assisting with the investigation, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which has noted an increase in switch-modified weapons in Philadelphia shooting investigations.
The shooting occurred on Memorial Day, a federal holiday dedicated to honoring military personnel who died in service to the country. Bethel emphasized the significance of the timing, noting the gravity of violence occurring on a day meant to honor fallen service members.
Family members of the victims expressed their grief, with Mikhail Bowers’ grandmother describing him as a happy-go-lucky child. Among the wounded, 15-year-old Keishawn Jones was shot in the leg. His mother told reporters her son, a high school freshman interested in sports and carpentry, has plans to build houses and did not deserve this violence.
This incident follows a previous shooting at Fairmount Park in June 2024, when 17-year-old Isya Stanley was killed and four other teenagers were injured. Following that incident, an 18-year-old suspect was arrested in November 2024.
In response to the latest shooting, Bethel announced plans to increase police presence in the park and deploy additional law enforcement assets to identify potential threats before they escalate. The commissioner indicated that current intelligence gathering methods are insufficient and require improvement to prevent similar incidents.
Mayor Parker signed legislation last year banning gun attachment devices within city limits, though federal law already prohibits switch modifications. Pennsylvania state law does not specifically ban these devices. Parker emphasized the city’s commitment to public safety and indicated officials will continue developing strategies to combat gun violence.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office stated it is working with local, state, and federal partners to investigate and prosecute those responsible for what they termed a horrific and senseless act of violence.
