There was chaos outside the Roar Nightclub at 7th and Arch in Center City early Sunday morning when a big fight broke out and police raced to the scene.
As officers tried to break up the brawl and disperse the large crowd, gun shots rang out. Officers pulled their weapons and the crowd scattered.
"Anybody could have gotten hurt," Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Ross told FOX 29. "Anybody. These bullets are firing all over the place."
Police say at least two shots were fired at 8th and Arch as they were clearing the area. No one was hit, but the gunfire brought even more cops to the scene. Police checked dozens of vehicles outside the club, but the gunman got away, leaving club patrons shook up and police concerned about problems here.
This is the third incident outside the club in seven months
Last July, a fight and gunfire outside the Center City hot spot left one man wounded.
Then in January, Police say there was a double stabbing outside the club after a fight here.
Police say they will speak with state liquor authorities.
"We start creating a written record for the purposes of any proceeding that may happen in the future," Ross added. "In addition to which, we get our troops out there to deal with folks who don't know how to act when the club lets out."
No one was at the club or answered the phone Monday. The nightclub sign had been covered up.
In past years, police used a citywide task force to shut bars down if there were repeated incidents of violence, fights or gunfire at or outside the location. But that task force was disbanded and now the process is more complicated.
"We can't do the same things we used to do before, it makes it a little more challenging, none the less, we're gonna' do our part and make sure people are safe," Ross explained.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections has no outstanding cases against the club. State Police Liquor Control Enforcement, which polices bars, reported no open investigations at the night club. The Sixth Police District says there have been problems outside Roar before and they are closely monitoring the situation.
"Now, we will have to ramp up our resources down here to deal with this quote, unquote let out," Ross said.
Parking lot attendants, who were here Saturday, told FOX 29 the gunman ran right through the parking lot with his gun out. They say there have been problems out here before and they hope police add additional manpower to prevent this from happening again.
Calls made by FOX 29 to the nightclub were not returned.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:54:35 GMT
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
Monday, May 13 2013 7:02 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:02:49 GMT
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
Thursday, May 9 2013 5:09 PM EDT2013-05-09 21:09:22 GMT
Two-and-a-half years after she was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her former boyfriend, Diane Corado's body has been found and positively identified.
Two-and-a-half years after she was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her former boyfriend, Diane Corado's body has been found and positively identified.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Police in the area of 7th and Arch in Center City investigate
