News Summary
The city of Philadelphia has revoked the business license of 7 Elements Lounge after a shooting incident that injured eight individuals. The incident, which stemmed from an altercation involving knives, escalated to gunfire early Saturday morning. A security guard at the venue has been arrested for his involvement in the shooting. The city is taking proactive measures to ensure safety in nightlife establishments, as part of its commitment to combat rising gun violence in the community.
Philadelphia – The city has revoked the business license of 7 Elements Lounge following a shooting incident that left eight people injured in South Philadelphia early Saturday morning, July 5, 2025. The incident, which involved an argument escalating into a fight with knives, occurred around 3:53 a.m. on the second-floor balcony of the establishment, leading to gunfire.
Upon arrival at the scene, police discovered that the doors of 7 Elements Lounge were initially locked, which complicated their response. A total of eight victims were reported, with four transported to hospitals by police and the remaining four taken by private vehicles. Fortunately, all of the injured individuals were reported to be in stable condition following the incident.
In a turn of events, a security guard working at the lounge, identified as 43-year-old Michael Welton, fired his weapon during the confrontation and was subsequently shot himself. As a result of the shooting, Welton has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, among other serious charges. Police are actively searching for additional suspects involved in the incident.
In response to the violence, the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections determined that revoking the lounge’s business license was necessary due to violations related to the incident. This action underscores the city’s commitment to maintaining safety in establishments that serve the public.
Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer affirmed that various community interventions were activated following the shooting. The Community Crisis Intervention Program has engaged with the victims to provide necessary support, while the Office of the Victim Advocate has facilitated crime scene cleanup and distributed resource literature to those affected.
To ensure public safety, the 211 Anti-Violence Hotline issued automated text alerts to residents in the area, informing them about the incident and available resources. Surveillance footage from the scene has also been released by police to aid in identifying individuals associated with the shooting.
This shooting incident is part of a troubling series of violent events that occurred over the 4th of July weekend in Philadelphia. In light of these developments, local law enforcement has increased police presence and ongoing investigations in an effort to address the rise in violence. Additional resources have been made available to communities impacted by gun violence as the city seeks to foster a safer environment for its residents.
As investigations are ongoing, authorities continue to seek more information regarding the suspects involved. Philadelphia’s public safety measures, including the RAPID Response protocol, aim to address the immediate needs of those affected by this tragic event, with a commitment to restore safety in the community.
The actions taken by the city following the incident at 7 Elements Lounge highlight a proactive approach to mitigating risk and ensuring accountability in nightlife establishments as the community navigates the consequences of increased gun violence.
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- 6abc: Video Captures Mass Shooting
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- New York Times: Philadelphia Mass Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Violence
- NBC Philadelphia: Arrest Made in Mass Shooting
- Google News: South Philadelphia shooting
Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
