By Tom Chittum
Philadelphia has much to celebrate. Of course, there is its resounding Super Bowl win. In a rematch of 2023’s game, the Eagles easily bested the Kansas City Chiefs and are the pride of the city. But Philly can also celebrate a significant milestone in public safety. In 2024, the city recorded its lowest homicide rate in a decade.
While these triumphs may not appear related, we know that sometimes major celebrations are tainted by gun violence. Unfortunately, the wounding of two women at the Super Bowl parade underscores this troubling trend.
Shootings associated with celebratory events are often themselves meant as a form of celebration (for example, shooting into the air). Sometimes they are motivated by intent to harm. Either way, the causes — and potential solutions — are related.
Americans have a long history of celebrating by shooting guns skyward. This is surprising since the dangers are obvious. Still, the combination of abundant alcohol, heightened emotions and excitement of the moment can lead to poor judgment, impulsive actions and an inhibited sense of personal accountability. After its Super Bowl win last year, Kansas City experienced a significant spike in gunfire.
Philadelphia has its own long history with celebratory gunfire. In 1774, Pennsylvania passed “An Act to Suppress the Disorderly Practice of Firing Guns” during New Year’s Eve (punishable by a fine of “ten shillings”), because it caused “much mischief and greatly disturbs the public peace.” The Pennsylvania Supreme Court mentioned this law last year when it upheld a local ordinance prohibiting shooting outside authorized gun ranges.
The problem persists to present day. In 2022, two police officers were injured in Philadelphia by falling bullets on the Fourth of July. This year, just minutes into 2025, a young girl in Chester was struck by a stray bullet. A few weeks ago, a man was caught on camera firing a gun into the air in the middle of a crowd celebrating the Eagles’ NFC win. And SoundThinking — the company that makes ShotSpotter, the acoustic gunshot detection system used by the Philadelphia Housing Authority — detected numerous instances of gunfire in the hours after Philly’s win.
Add crowds to the mix of booze, emotion and excitement, and sometimes the clash of revelry and rivalry leads to conflicts that cause homicidal shootings, not celebratory ones.
Though Philadelphia schooled Kansas City on the gridiron, it just learned the same tragic lesson KC did at its own Super Bowl victory parade last year, where nearly two dozen people were shot, including one fatally. Ultimately, two men were charged with murder for the KC shooting. Illegal firearms played a part. Federal investigators arrested several people for trafficking some of the recovered guns.
At Philly’s parade, gunfire broke out over an argument in a porta-potty line. No one in the crowd reported hearing the shots and authorities only learned of the incident when the women transported themselves for medical aid. Fireworks may have masked the sound of gunfire.
Three factors are central to breaking this terrible tradition: the police, the community and technology.
First, police must be visible. Research shows the right amount of police presence can deter crime. It also reassures the law abiding and allows swift response to incidents (when police learn of them: see community and technology). Officials should publicly communicate about risks and consequences. Their posture must be protective — not oppressive — but they must aggressively pursue gun crimes.
Second, the community plays a crucial role in promoting public safety. Organizations, local businesses and residents can all help foster a culture of shared responsibility for discouraging violence, for reporting it when it occurs and for cooperating with authorities.
Finally, officials must leverage technology to enhance public safety. The strategic use of technology can help identify and respond to threats in real time. It can also help investigate incidents to hold criminals accountable. Figuring out who shot a bullet that falls from the sky is easier when you know where the gun was fired. Knowing when gunfire breaks out amid the noise of fireworks can save lives. Technology can join responsive police and an engaged community in a powerful public safety partnership.
Unfortunately, these types of shootings are not just a local Philadelphia or Kansas City issue. Much of America struggles with gun violence. Philadelphia, bolstered by its spirit of Brotherly Love, can lead by example. Its leaders must embrace the lessons of the parade shooting and seize the opportunity to enhance public safety. ••
Tom Chittum is Senior Vice President of Forensic Services at SoundThinking Inc.; retired Associate Deputy Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and an adjunct law professor at UNLV.
