Mantua shooting leaves elderly men critically wounded

This post has been updated

Police are investigating a shooting in the Mantua section of West Philadelphia that left two elderly men critically wounded Friday night.

The occupants of two cars driving on 41st Street near Parrish were shooting at each other around 8:40 p.m. and the victims were caught in the crossfire, said Lt. John Walker of the Southwest Detective Division.

An 81-year-old man was shot in his head, "He may not survive, he's in very critical condition," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

A 69-year-old man, who is confined to a motorized wheelchair, was shot in his left arm and was wounded twice in the left side of his torso.

Both victims were taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and were listed in critical condition.

The men were standing on opposite sides of the street when shots rang out, Small said, and police found eight peices of ballistic evidence on the scene.

Police were still interviewing neighbors in the area around 10:20 p.m.

A description of the suspects was not immediately available. Police are asking for help from the public to gather information on the suspects.

Tipsters are asked to call the Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183, or the tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477)

No arrests were made.