ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Police were involved in a barrage of gunfire that began as two groups fired on each other Sunday night in Center City Allentown, the district attorney said.
Officers were called as the groups shot at each other and police also opened fire, said Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan.
Several people were taken to local hospitals.
"Right now it appears there are no fatalities and no Allentown police officers that were injured," Holihan told LehighValleyNews.com shortly before 10 p.m.
It happened about 6:45 p.m. in the 100 block of North Seventh Street in Center City. Holihan said police officers were in the vicinity and responded swiftly to the initial shooting.
Mayor Matt Tuerk said he was aware of the incident.
"The investigation is currently active, and police are processing the scene," he said in a statement released by the mayor's office and posted on social media.
"The Allentown Police Department took quick, decisive action and there is no ongoing danger to the public."
Several officers were seen with evidence markers in a public parking lot next to the 7-Eleven on Seventh Street, between Turner and Linden streets, not far from the PPL Center.
The lot with cars inside was cordoned off with police tape.
State Rep. Josh Siegel said the violence happened during a day of celebration as Allentown held its annual Dominican Festival in the downtown area.
“Today was a day of celebration and recognition of our city’s diversity and vibrant community," said Siegel, D-Lehigh. "We must never allow these instances to rob our city of its positive momentum and progress. Allentown is stronger than the few who lack respect for its laws.”
Tuerk's statement said police would release additional information as it becomes available.
He thanked police and Police Chief Charles Roca in a separate message posted to social media.
"This behavior is unacceptable and we will continue to take the necessary steps to protect everyone from harm."Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk
"I’m incredibly disappointed that people are making bad choices in Allentown," he said.
"Our neighbors have no patience for those that would make our streets unsafe. This behavior is unacceptable and we will continue to take the necessary steps to protect everyone from harm."
Holihan, who was at the scene afterward, said it was too early in the investigation to establish a motive for the shootings.
He asked anyone with information or videos to call the Allentown Police Department. The detectives division can be reached at 610-437-7721 or the police desk at 610-437-7753 (ext 1).
Witness Madison Rivera described a wild scene as she said she saw people running and police chasing a car containing people believed to have been involved in the shootings.
She said she was a passenger in a car that had just turned onto Turner Street when she saw flashing police lights behind her. Another car slammed into hers from behind, then fled with police following, she said.
Siegel, whose district includes the area where the shootings occurred, said he was confident police and the district attorney's office would hold people accountable.
“I’m appalled by yet another incident of violence in my district staining our city streets with blood and depriving our residents and neighbors of peace of mind," he said. "Violent perpetrators will never be victorious though and Allentown will not let them deprive our community of the safety it deserves.”
