4 people shot near Temple University Hospital

Four people were injured in a possible drive-by shooting Wednesday about a block away from Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia, police said.

The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. outside on the 3600 block of Germantown Avenue just south of the busy intersection of Germantown and Erie Avenue, said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Police responding to 911 calls found a crime scene but no victims, Small said. Minutes later Temple hospital reported that four gunshot victims had arrived via two private vehicles.

An unidentified man shot four times in the back was listed in critical condition. A 34-year-old man shot in the stomach also was listed in critical condition. A 33-year-old man shot in the groin and leg was reported in stable condition. And an 18-year-old woman shot in both legs was reported in stable condition.

A semi-automatic handgun was found in the street as well as three spent shell casings, but there was no blood on the ground, Small said. That lack of ballistic evidence at the scene indicates that the shooter may have been inside a vehicle.

One of the private vehicles that carried some of the victims had been struck by gunfire. What appeared to be a marijuana was visible in the vehicle, Small said.

Small said detectives were checking multiple surveillance cameras in the area for possible video of the shooting.

The intersection of Germantown and Erie is a popular hangout area with Max’s Steak and several bars.