An off-duty police officer has died after he and another man were shot outside a lounge in Southwest Philadelphia early Sunday morning, police said.

The shooting happened near 73rd Street and Elmwood Avenue just before 4 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026.

Police told NBC10 that the victims, a 29-year-old off-duty officer and a 35-year-old man, were taken to a nearby hospital after both were shot multiple times.

A double shooting outside an after-hours lounge in Southwest Philadelphia resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer. But neighbors told NBC10’s Andrew Rowan that they have raised concerns about the building for years. 

The officer later died from his injuries. The 35-year-old man is in critical condition, according to police.

At the scene, officers taped off the area as they investigated what led to the shooting.

Surveillance video obtained by NBC10 showed what appeared to be a fight break out before the shooting.

Police said they recovered a gun and were working to review surveillance video. It is unclear at this time whose gun investigators found.

Police said this shooting happened outside an after-hours lounge. According to the Department of Licenses and Inspections website, the property has a history of violations dating back to at least 2021, including for not having the right permit for an after-hours smoke lounge.

The building was also labeled a “nuisance property” in November 2025 and again in January 2026, documents showed.

A neighbor said the business has been operating for several years and has repeatedly drawn complaints.

“It’s been open for about, maybe, like, five or six years. And it’s always been a nuisance complaint. We’ve complained about it a lot of times because you can hear the music,” the neighbor said.

An off-duty Philadelphia police officer has died after he and another man were shot outside a lounge in Southwest Philadelphia early Sunday. NBC10’s Siobhan McGirl reports. 

NBC10 is still trying to identify the building’s owner to speak with them on their side of the story.

However, someone who said they had been to the lounge before told NBC10 that it was a place to have drinks and party.

“Just a after hours spot, people go there late at night, get a couple drinks, party a little bit. That’s about it,” the person who did not want to be identified said.

The 29-year-old officer, whose name has not yet been revealed, worked in the Philadelphia Police Department’s 12th District and had two years of service.

“We continue to ask the community for their prayers. We will continue to pray for his family. Fortunately, they were at his bedside. But we are here now to support the family, support the men and women he worked with in the 12th District. These are very difficult moments for us, ” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said during a press conference.

During a press conference, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel shared that an off-duty police officer died from his injuries after a double shooting outside a lounge. 

Bethel also asked if anyone has information regarding this shooting to come forward.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker also released a statement on Sunday that expressed her remorse for the officer’s death and urged anyone with useful information to come forward in the investigation.

“Any loss to gun violence significantly impacts us all. We will never stop working to make Philadelphia a safer city,” she said.

Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson also released a statement:

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic shooting and death of an off-duty Philadelphia Police officer early this morning in Southwest Philadelphia. My heartfelt condolences go out to the officer’s family, loved ones, his colleagues of the 12th Police District, and the entire Philadelphia Police Department as they mourn this devastating loss. I am also praying for the recovery of the second individual who was injured in this shooting. Any loss of life to gun violence is a tragedy. As Council President, Chair of City Council’s Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention and the Councilmember representing Southwest Philadelphia, I remain committed to working with law enforcement, community leaders and residents to address gun violence and make every neighborhood in our city safer.”

No one is in custody in connection with the shooting.

Anyone with any information on the incident is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or anonymously online here.