About 10:45 pm Monday neighbors heard what they thought were a couple gun shots and then a huge BOOM in the alley between 39th and 40th Street in the 400 block.
Two neighbors who live at separate residences on the block were visiting and they both heard a pop or pops which may have been gun shots. Then one of them noticed smoke coming from the rear area off the alley at the rear of the apartment building at 429 North 40th Street.
One of the two neighbors walked down to see what was up and the car exploded into a giant fire ball and the neighbor was hit with piece of the car that went flying from the explosion he was hit in the face. He was bleeding profusely-fire department came and helped the neighbor and he was taken to the hospital. It was frightening to see someone bleed so much with such an injury and we hope he is alright.
The apartment at 429 North 39th Street has had many complaints brought to the attention of the Police on our Neighborhood Walks. We hope this was an accident and not an intentional event. Two year ago in the summer there was a drive by shooting in the alley at the same spot and 2 tenants at this building were somehow involved. One was nicked by a bullet.
Police are still here processing the alley at 3:30 am. and patroling tightly thru the neighborhood.
