Rep. Kenyatta issues statement on shooting outside Hope Partnership School

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 21 – State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., issued the following statement on a shooting that took place yesterday outside Hope Partnership School in his legislative district.  

“Thankfully no one was physically hurt inside or outside the school but the emotional toll on the students and staff is real,” Kenyatta said. “I’ve talked to the principal about how the state can assist. This madness has to end. We have the ability to pass legislation that would help prevent these further tragedies from happening.

“I visited the area and spoke to law enforcement on the scene. I’ll meet with school staff and hopefully students this week.”

Dozens of bullets were fired, including one that went through the window of a 6th grade classroom. No injuries or deaths occurred.

This shooting comes on the heels of a deadly milestone for the city yesterday: 500 homicides in 2022.

Kenyatta previously put forward a three-point plan to address the gun violence crisis taking place in Philadelphia. This plan includes:

  1. Declaring a state of emergency.
  2. Passing stalled gun safety legislation.
  3. Addressing root causes of violence and investing in the youth.