Double shooting in N.E. Philly gym

A pickup game of basketball ended in a double shooting tonight inside the World Gym in Northeast Philadelphia, police said.

For reasons that were unknown earlier tonight, the court started to resemble a boxing ring about 7:35 p.m. when a large fight broke out among a group of men who had been playing ball, said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

One participant in the brawl left the gym, walked to his car and returned with a gun.

The man opened fire, wounding a 26-year-old man once in the chest and a 24-year-old man in the back and ear, Vanore said.

The victims, whose names were not released, were admitted to Aria Hospital's Torresdale campus in stable condition.

No weapons were found inside the gym, which is located in a shopping center on Roosevelt Boulevard near Bennett Road that is also home to several restaurants.

Vanore said investigators didn't have a clear description of the gunman, who apparently fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

The gym, which according to its Web site offers "An Intelligent Approach To Fitness," is open 24 hours Monday to Friday.

A gym spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

Anyone with information on the shooting can contact Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153.