It happened at the Mill Creek Gathering Center in the 4700 block of Brown Street around 1:30 p.m. Tiffany Fletcher, 41, was rushed to hospital and was treated in a critical condition but died shortly after 7pm. Police say a 14-year-old boy is in custody in connection with the shooting, and police say at least three gunmen were involved. Fletcher, a mother of three boys, was just sitting outside the center taking a break. Those who know her are devastated. “An innocent bystander was shot, who was ours. You know it’s a hurt feeling. We’ve got to do something about these guys,” said John Adams. “I always care about her work. She took care of the kids. Great mom. Good person,” Brenda Anderson said. Terry Allice was working in the car garage across the street when she ran for help. “I saw her run in. She collapsed on the ground so we just closed the gate and I covered her wound with some towels,” Alice said. She says as soon as they heard the police outside, they put her in a car and she was rushed to the hospital. “I asked if she was okay and she just raised her hands and I saw the blood,” he said. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney released a statement about the shooting Friday night, calling Fletcher a “dedicated, passionate and driven city employee.” “Words alone cannot express the anger, hurt and sadness felt by all her colleagues tonight. I am horrified to learn of this heinous and senseless crime that has completely devastated so many people, especially her family,” said Kenny. The statement continued: “Today, like every day, Tiffany went to work at Millcreek Rec Center to serve the community and people she loved, and to be a role model for her children. Now, a family is bereaved, colleagues are grieving and the community is left to cope with this unimaginable loss. My deepest condolences to those who knew and loved Tiffany. To all our colleagues in the City who are hurting tonight, know that there is support available. “Violence anywhere in Philadelphia will always be unacceptable, and the Police Department is investigating this incident to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Fortunately, due to the quick response of our officers and the support of the community, PPD was able to arrests a suspect who remains in custody. “Unfortunately, we have seen this tragedy play out time and time again in our neighborhoods, near places like recreation centers that should be safe and sacred for children to learn, grow and play. This is one of the reasons the city is now offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone who fires a gun within 500 feet of a school, recreation center or library.We hope that anyone with information about this horrific crime will come forward so we can get the perpetrators off the streets. “As our government, in partnership with all local and federal law enforcement agencies, continues to work tirelessly to reduce violence and create safer communities, we need the public’s help and encourage any residents with information about this heinous act of violence or any others, to report it anonymously to 215-686-TIPS.” Also Friday, a 12-year-old girl was wounded by a stray bullet in an unrelated shooting in North Philadelphia. Copyright © 2022 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
