A routine morning at a South Philadelphia playground took a chilling turn when a loaded handgun was discovered on top of a slide. The incident occurred at the Weccacoe Playground located on the 400 block of Catherine Street. A 32-year-old woman stumbled upon the firearm and promptly alerted the authorities. According to NBC Philadelphia, police arrived at the scene around 8:50 a.m. on Monday to recover a "fully loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun."

The presence of the gun in a children's play area has caused understandable concern within the community. Having seen crime in their area, parents did not anticipate finding such an item where children play. In a statement obtained by Action News, the Queen Village Neighborhood Association has yet to comment on the discovery that has left residents shocked.

While no arrests have been made, Philadelphia police are deeply engaged in an investigation to trace the origins of the weapon. There's an ongoing effort to determine if the firearm has been used in any recent criminal activities. Both law enforcement and the community at large are awaiting answers as authorities navigate through the details of this unsettling find.

Local parents, while grappling with the discovery, say crime does happen but this incident was particularly disconcerting. "This is still a really shocking discovery," one parent informed Action News. The investigation continues as police work to untangle potential ties to other crimes and ensure the safety of the neighborhood's residents and particularly its youngest members.