March 20, 2023
In response to a triple shooting in West Philadelphia this afternoon leaving three children injured, including one extremely critically, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:
PHILADELPHIA--"Day after day, the scourge of gun violence continues to devastate our city. I am horrified and enraged that three children were shot in West Philadelphia this afternoon, leaving one child in extremely critical condition, and two others now reported in stable condition.
"My wholly insufficient thoughts are with the children injured this afternoon, with their families, with their friends, and with all who were impacted by today's shooting.
"Just last week, 15-year-old Neko Rivera was gunned down, a life senselessly stolen. His tragic death marked the seventeenth School District child murdered this school year. In the past month, we have decried shootings at the doorsteps of our school buildings-- a shooting right outside of Blaine Elementary, and two shootings where bullets pierced occupied school buildings--at both Heston and Willard Elementary.
"I've said it so many times before-- we cannot continue to live and die this way. Our children and our entire city need and deserve so much better. We need substantive gun reform and sustainable investments.
"Tonight my heart is heavy, but my resolve is only strengthened. We must do more and do better for our young people, for our city, and for our entire nation."
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