Multiple gunshots fired outside McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut streets on Tuesday evening

Multiple gunshots were fired outside of the McDonald's at 40th and Walnut streets near campus late Tuesday evening. 

Members of the Penn and Philadelphia Police departments responded to a call of shots fired. 

Upon arrival, the officers encountered a suspect and recovered a firearm from the suspect, the Division of Public Safety wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian. The area surrounding the scene was taped off shortly after the incident. A window of the McDonald’s was shattered in the encounter, and several shell casings were found on the street.

The suspect is currently in custody. The police have reported no injuries.

The Division of Public Safety announced the area was all clear at 11:07 p.m., and normal activity may now resume. 40th Street has now reopened to oncoming traffic.

Following the incident, DPS spoke to the DP on the afternoon of March 16 about the state of the investigation.

According to DPS, witnesses observed two individuals who appeared to know one another — one of whom was the arrested suspect — having a physical altercation inside of the McDonald’s prior to the shooting.

After the encounter, the two individuals ran out of the building accompanied by a group of people who appeared to be associated with them.

The arrested suspect exchanged fire with a moving white sedan carrying “approximately three individuals” one of whom was the other individual involved in the McDonald’s altercation, according to DPS. The sedan moved west down Walnut Street, pursued by Penn Police.

Penn Police officers followed the vehicle until they deemed it unsafe to continue. The individuals who were in the vehicle have not yet been found.

DPS stated that witnesses should feel free to contact Penn Police if they know anything about the situation, and that anyone who has been affected by the incident can look to Penn’s Employee Assistance Program and Counseling and Psychological Services for support.