The Associated Press and Chicago Tribune are reporting that two Bulls fans bragging about their team’s victory were shot on the El in West Philly last night: [Chicago Tribune]

The shooting happened around 10:40 p.m. after “a little bit of banter” between the two fans and two other people, described as between 16 and 19, at 46th and Market streets in West Philadelphia, police said. 

One of the Bulls fans, a 36-year-old man, quarreled with the teens and was shot in the stomach as the teens exited the train at 46th street, according to Lt. John Walker. The other Bulls fan, a 30-year-old man, tried to calm things down and was shot in the thigh, he said. 

 

The two men are in stable condition. 

This is horrible, no question. But before the predicted national media onslaught of Philly fans are the worst, let’s please consider the situation: two adult Bulls fans, from Philly, starting shit with teenagers on the El at night. A sideways glance could get you shot in West Philly at night. Bragging about your surrogate team’s victory (does Jordan still play for the Bulls?) over the hometown team on The El at 46th and Market gives you about the same chance of being shot by an idiot as if your name was Spalding and you were being handled by Nick Young. It's not smart. Let’s just be glad no one is dead here. And let’s do something about that gun problem sooner rather than later. 

With Love, Philadelphia XOXO.