Armed violence: the new epidemic denounced in the US 1:53
(CNN) -
A bustling entertainment district became a scene of carnage when several assailants opened fire in the area of South Street in Philadelphia, police said.
At least three people were killed and 11 others were wounded by gunshots Saturday night, Philadelphia DF Police Inspector Pace said.
Officers patrolling the South Street area heard gunshots shortly before midnight and observed "several active assailants firing into the crowd," Pace said.
Bullets tore through a store window on Philadelphia's South Street overnight.
An officer was "within about 30 to 45 feet" of one of the shooters and shot the suspect, Pace said.
"We're not sure if he was hit or not, but the officer was able to get that individual to drop the gun on him and run."
US states with higher gun ownership have more gun violence deaths.
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Two handguns were recovered at the scene, including one with an extended magazine, Pace said.
But as of early Sunday, no arrests had been made.
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The identities of the two men and one woman killed have not been released.
The violence in Philadelphia marked the sixth mass shooting in the United States this weekend alone, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.
"The rise in gun violence that we've seen across the country, and here in Philadelphia, not only breaks my heart, it makes me angry," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said Sunday.
"Once again, we see lives senselessly lost and injured in yet another horrendous, brazen and despicable act of gun violence."
Hundreds of people were in the area
South Street is "known to be an entertainment corridor" with multiple bars and restaurants, Pace said.
"There were hundreds of people enjoying South Street, like they do every weekend, when this shooting broke out."
The motives for the shooting remain unclear.
There have been at least 239 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
CNN and the archive define a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot, excluding the attacker.
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3:23
The mayor said he is fed up with senseless gun violence and called for tougher laws to help prevent violent people from getting guns.
“We cannot accept continued violence as a way of life in our country.
Until we address the availability and ease of access to firearms, we will always be fighting an uphill battle,” Kenney said.
"I will continue to fight to protect our communities and urge others to advocate for stronger laws that keep guns out of the hands of violent people."
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner called for a boycott of NRA lobbyists and donations.
After last night's "terrible crimes on South Street, tell our Pennsylvania legislators it's time for real action," Krasner tweeted Sunday.
"Boycott NRA lobbyists, boycott NRA donations and bring true common sense gun regulation to Pennsylvania. Now."
CNN's Kiely Westhoff contributed to this report.
Philadelphia Shootings in the United States
