Congresswoman carjacked at gunpoint in Philadelphia in broad daylight

A Democratic lawmaker from Pennsylvania was carjacked at gunpoint in Philadelphia on Wednesday, her office said.

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, 62, was unharmed but lost her personal vehicle and other possessions in the robbery.

The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at FDR Park in South Philadelphia, where the lawmaker had been attending a meeting. Ms. Scanlon was walking to her parked car when she was approached by two men driving a dark-colored SUV.

Police said both men, who were armed, demanded the keys to her car.

They got away with her 2017 Acura MDX, her personal cell phone, her government cell phone, her purse and her identification. There was no immediate report on suspects.

“She thanks the Philadelphia Police Department for their swift response, and appreciates the efforts of both the Sergeant at Arms in D.C. and her local police department for coordinating with Philly PD to ensure her continued safety,” said Scanlon spokeswoman Lauren Cox.

Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney said he was “appalled” about the crime.

“It’s disheartening, and quite frankly infuriating, that criminals feel emboldened to commit such a reckless crime in the middle of the day in what should be a place of tranquility and peace - one of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks,” Mr. Kenney said in a statement.

Her Democratic colleague, Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, said she was “horrified and sad for my friend.”

“So glad you were not hurt. Hope you take the time you need to manage this traumatic experience,” she tweeted at Ms. Scanlon.

Crime has been rampant in Philadelphia this year, with the city last month breaking its record of 500 homicides set in 1990.

But Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, told reporters earlier this month that “we don’t have a crisis of lawlessness, we don’t have a crisis of crime, we don’t have a crisis of violence.”

A resident of Swarthmore, Ms. Scanlon represents the state’s 5th Congressional District, which encompasses Delaware County, portions of Chester County and Montgomery County in the Philadelphia suburbs, and a southern section of the city. She has served in the House since 2018.