Police in the suburban Philadelphia township of Falls Township, Bucks County issued a shelter in place warning on around 9:30am on Saturday morning after reports that several people have been shot.
Shelter-in-place order issued in Falls Township due to police activity https://t.co/PENrbodw2X
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) March 16, 2024
LevittownNow.com reports that according to law enforcement sources three people have been killed. There are shooting scenes in the area of Viewpoint Lane and Vine Lane, as well as on Edgewood Lane, both in Falls Township’s Levittown section.
Police said it wasn’t known yet if the shootings were “targeted or random.” The suspect fled the scene and may have carjacked a vehicle along Old Route 13 near Tyburn Road.
Police said Oxford Valley Mall and Sesame Place had been told to close until further notice. The area’s Target store and other businesses had chosen to close as well.
The county’s scheduled St. Patrick’s Day parade was canceled following the shelter-in-place order.as well.
As of 10:15 a.m., police continued to search for the shooter. A New Jersey State Police helicopter was assisting Falls Township police. Police departments from around Bucks County responded to assist.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement officials are assisting the Falls Township Police Department in an active police investigation and are urging residents in the township to shelter-in-place. Report any suspicious activity to 911.
— Bucks County District Attorney's Office (@BucksDa) March 16, 2024
State Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-10th dist.) said the county's St. Patrick's Day parade, scheduled to be held Saturday morning, was cancelled due to the emergency situation.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement officials are assisting the Falls Township Police Department in an active police investigation and are urging residents in the township to shelter-in-place. Report any suspicious activity to 911.
— Bucks County District Attorney's Office (@BucksDa) March 16, 2024
According to State Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st dist.) the incident involved a carjacking and shootings in two parts of Falls Township. He said he was “in touch with law enforcement officials as they pursue the suspect.”
There is an active shooter alert in Falls Township — we are monitoring a carjacking and a shooting in two sections of Falls Township. I’m in touch with law enforcement officials as they pursue the suspect. More information to follow - please be alert of your surroundings and…
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) March 16, 2024
On social media, at about 10 a.m., the Middletown Township Police Department confirmed that there had been a shooting and they are telling people not to travel to Falls Township on Saturday morning.
"This is a fluid situation and we are asking the community to take some precautions. Do NOT travel to Falls Township until further notice. If you live in areas that border Falls, you should shelter in place until further notice," police officials said online.
Also, police said a Target store in Langhorne has closed due to the shooting.
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