Two 18-year-old men have been apprehended in connection with a mass shooting at a SEPTA bus stop in Philadelphia last week, as announced by authorities on Monday. The Philadelphia District Attorney, Larry Krasner, stated that the charges against the suspects include criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, and conspiracy.

The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when three masked gunmen exited a parked car near the bus stop. They proceeded to fire more than 30 rounds towards a group of high schoolers who were attempting to board a bus, according to the Philadelphia police. Eight teenagers, aged 15 to 17, were shot during the attack, with two of them currently in critical condition and hospitalized. Shockingly, one of the victims was struck nine times, as confirmed by the police. However, there is some positive news as this particular victim has shown signs of improvement, being "upgraded [at the hospital] and is talking," the police shared on Monday.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Kevin Bethel, condemned the act as a "heinous crime." During the shooting, a fourth suspect remained in the car while the other three perpetuated the attack, according to the police. Remarkably, the quick response of one officer, who applied a tourniquet, may have saved a victim's life.

While two of the four suspects believed to be involved are now in custody, two remain at large, the police announced on Monday. Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner, Frank Vanore, emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, adding, "We're not done." He urged any witnesses to come forward, encouraging cooperation with the Philadelphia Police Department. To those who may have been involved, Vanore urged them to "get smart" and surrender themselves.

The authorities have recovered a firearm matching the casings found at the shooting scene. The weapon, a fully loaded Glock 22 pistol with an extended magazine, was also equipped with laser sights and a Glock switch, effectively converting it into a fully automatic weapon, explained Vanore.

Addressing the concerned residents of Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle Parker expressed her commitment to bringing justice to the situation. She stated, "We are unapologetic about engaging every partner available to assist us." Parker emphasized that all necessary partners would collaborate with the Philadelphia Police Department to ensure accountability and answers for the community.

All eight victims of the shooting were students at Philadelphia's Northeast High School, local ABC station WPVI reports. In light of the incident, the mayor highlighted her recent meeting with the school's principal, who encouraged resilience, stating, "Although our city and those children's lives were shattered last week, we will not be broken."

This mass shooting adds to a concerning outbreak of gun violence in Philadelphia, and it marks the fourth shooting incident involving a local SEPTA bus within a single week, according to WPVI. The authorities remain determined to confront these issues head-on and enhance safety measures for the city's residents.