This is the moment Philadelphia residents cower in fear as gunshots fill the air and an SUV crashes into the back of a parked car.

The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) shared the images on social media on 9th March to ask for the public’s help following the shooting last month.

In the footage, residents are seen cowering as gunshots apparently fill the air and a white SUV suddenly crashes into the back of a parked car, which in turn hits a lorry trailer.

Three men are then seen escaping from the smoking wreckage and fleeing down the street.

Officers reportedly found a semiautomatic handgun in the crashed vehicle after arriving on the scene.

The police said: “The Philadelphia Police Department needs your help.

“The police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred in Southwest Philadelphia on February 23rd, 2022. Shots rang out just before 8:00 PM near the intersection of 54th Street and Chester Avenue.

“During the course of the shooting, a white Acura SUV, which had been reported stolen in January, crashed into a parked vehicle and tractor trailer.

“Three males managed to escape the wreckage and flee the scene, running southbound on 54th Street. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the males, who are believed to be involved in the shooting.”

PPD added: “A semiautomatic handgun was found inside the stolen vehicle.”

The police advised citizens to “contact 911 immediately” and not approach the suspects if they see them, adding: “All tips will be confidential.”

The investigation continues.