STOP the MOTHAFUCKIN VIOLENCE

I mean fuck, ya'll niggas like killing and murdering just to be in a cell for life and be called hard. Many know i'm in Philly, and according to the USA Today we're the murder capital. The Young Gunz made it clear, "I'm from the city where they got more bodies than days." It is sad when on June 17 2008 around 4pm at the end of a high school graduation ceremony held at my schools basketball arena a newly high school graduate is congratulated on his achievement by gun fire aimed at them.

Posted on Tue, Jun. 17, 2008

Man, 18, shot after high school graduation at Liacouras Center

An 18-year-old man was shot in the back at 4:19 p.m., less than a half-hour after his graduation from Strawberry Mansion High School, authorities said.

The shooting took place in the 1700 block of North Broad Street, where the high school's commencement ceremony at Temple University's Liacouras Center ended at 3:55 p.m.

The man, whom police would not identify, is in critical condition at Temple University Hospital.

As the crowd of new graduates came out of the center's Broad Street exit, a fight broke out among some of them, spilling onto Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Several shots rang out as Temple police were in the process of breaking it up. At least one shot struck the 18-year-old, who was involved in the melee, said Lt. Frank Vanore.

Police have not yet recovered a weapon. Five men have been taken into custody, and an investigation is ongoing, Vanore said. No arrests have been made.

The school's principal, Lois Powell-Mondesire, met with the parents and students.

"The principal told me on the way to the hospital that he is a great student, well-regarded, that is planning to go to college," said Fernando Gallard, a spokesman for the Philadelphia School District.

Gallard said 117 students graduated from Strawberry Mansion this afternoon.

- Maya Rao