Philadelphia police are investigating the first murders of 2021

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – Philadelphia police are looking for several suspects after a violent New Year’s Eve. Officials say that at least ten people were shot during the night hours in the city, and three of them were deadly.

The first murder of the New Year took place in South Philadelphia.

Police say a man was shot at 100 block Ritner Street around 12:30 PM.

A 37-year-old victim was shot in the thigh, officials say.

Neighbors told Action News off-camera that the man was turning the corner onto Fitzgerald Street, door to door seeking help.

Officials say he was pronounced dead at Jefferson University Hospital.

Just before 2 a.m., a shooting happened on the 2100 block of Walnut Street in an apartment.

Police say a 22-year-old woman has been shot in the arm and hip.

The woman, whose identity remains unknown, was taken to hospital in critical condition.

Police say an arrest has been made in this incident.

Another murder took place in an unknown location, officials say.

The victim walked into Temple Hospital’s emergency department with a gunshot wound and collapsed around 4:30 a.m. on Friday.

No arrests have been made so far.

A third murder took place in block 2500 of South 66th Street in Southwest Philadelphia around 4:30 a.m. on Friday.

Police say a 26-year-old man was shot at a party in the basement of a house.

Investigators hope that witnesses who were at the party will bring up information about the shooter.

Neighbors say they’ve heard parties in the house before.

“I just don’t understand. If they stopped partying, maybe it would stop, but the violence has to stop,” said Coral Chambers, who moved to the neighborhood less than a year ago.

Captain Scott Drissel of the 12th precinct says he hopes all parts of the city’s criminal justice system can work together to lower the homicide rate by 2021.

“We’re not alone in the criminal justice system. We need everyone to work together, even during a pandemic,” said Drissel. “Because crime doesn’t stop.”

The violence is so widespread that it has become normal for some of the city’s youngest residents.

“I know 20 people who have been killed in recent years,” said Shakir Calderon. “It makes me want to be part of the solution.”

The Talk to Me Mentorship program in Hunting Park has become a place for teens to escape the gun violence in their neighborhood.

“Just watch your friends lose people. Even if you don’t know them, it’s just crazy,” said Nyjah Smith, a high school student on the program.

City authorities and police have pointed to the pandemic and the despair it causes, including weapons on the street, as factors.

“We have said enough is enough,” said Ryan Harris, founder of the nonprofit organization ‘As I Plant This Seed’. “We need bigger voices and more people to come out and really talk about the violence.”

Residents feel that if things don’t change, it could be just as violent in 2021.