"action news" reporter katherine scott is live at the scene. katherine, what do we know at thisour? >> reporter: police did recover a gun but who it belonged to and how it went off remain under investigation. >> she was hysterically crying, saying, save my baby. >> reporter: a frantic mother, a child shot. she just walked outside a medical clinic in philadelphia when she saw a desperate mother in the street clinging to her 4-year-old girl who had been shot in the head. >> all the nurses came out running over here. >> reporter: how it happened is unclear, but it happened just before she you was rushed to hahnemann hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly before 1:00. >> i said why they coming this

way? i started crying. i couldn't take it. i ran back in the home. >> reporter: police say the victim's 3-year-old victim was inside the home as was her mother who was transported to police headquarters to be interviewed. police are trying to determine if there was anyone else home at the time. >> it's a shame. it's a little angelle. you know? to see her little sister bent over seeing her like that. >> reporter: detectives obtained a warrant to collect evidence from the home. they survey the bedroom where it happened trying to figure out what led up to this. >> we have a 4-year-old little girl that's dead here. that's our number one priority finding out how this happened. >> reporter: police carried out the evidence. they cleared this scene. but the investigation continues at police headquarters where the interviews are ongoing. we're live in north philadelphia, katherine scott, "channel 6 action news." jim? >> thank you, katherine. chaka fattah had a change of heart today and resigned his seat in congress. fattah was convicted tuesday on all 22 counts in his political

corruption trial but intended to leave capitol hill one day before his sentencing on octobe. but that didn't sit well with people from both political parties. "action news" reporter john rawlins is live outside fattah's district office in wynnefield. john, today the final chapter for >> reporter: yesterday, the convict the congressman wanted to hold on to his job in october, as you said. he was told, though, overnight by friends and foes alike that if he persisted with that, he would face being expelled from congress asap, something congress does rarely. that set up today's about-face. though he would not have been able to vote on legislation or do any committee work, chaka fattah wanted to stay on the job in congress for roughly 100 days before exiting. prior to his change of heart today, the leader of the city's gop gave this bldstering assessment of the october 3rd red nation date.

>> the day before he's sentenced. i believe he wants to collect apaycheck. >> reporter: to include parts of the main line as well as germantown and chestnut hill. most constituents we talked to prior to today's resignation said it was time for fattah to go. >> leave. >> reporter: why? >> because he made promises in the community and west philadelphia to his alumni association and having did none of that. >> i think he should resign now because it's pointless to have somebody in a position where they can't be effective. >> reporter: fattah was convicted on a slew of federal corruption charges tuesday. apparently, he was told late last night, if he didn't resign, the votes were there in congress to expel him from congress. fattah opted to go. >> i personally think it's the right thing for him to do. he used taxpayer dollars for his own personal gain. >> reporter: longtime fattah friend ed rendell at a dnc host committee event this afternoon agreed the sooner rather than

later departu was appropriate. >> i think the congressman did the right thing. it's almost impossible with that cloud hanging over your head to effectively represent your constituents. so i think he did the right thing. >> reporter: with today's resignation, fattah is no longer a dnc superdelegate. that avoids a potential embarrassment for democrats next month. and while the congressman is gone, we are told today his district office in philadelphia behind me will remain staffed for constituent services. live in wynnefield, john rawlins, "channel 6 action news." jim? >> thank you, john. house democrats ended their sit-in protest over gun control today after 25 1/2 hours. the demonstration was broadcast live to the world over social media. lawmakers said that they would not leave until getting votes on bills to strengthen background checks and ban sales to people on the no-fly list. while they abandoned that stance, democrats declared victory.

republicans branded this just a publicity stunt. house speaker paul ryan dismissed congress until july 5th. pennsylvania democratic senator bob casey, who is a vocal proponent of gun reform, returned from washington late this afternoon. he said that he is proud of house democrats for their sit-in yesterday and says that the advent of social media can help keep up pressure on lawmakers. >> social media and the ability for people to channel their activism is a much more potent tool than it was even three years ago. >> casey applauded a bipartisan bill that went forward in the senate today authored by susan collins of maine, a republican. that measure would bab ban gun sales on people on a no-fly list. it survive an initial vote today. a supreme court blocked president obama's immigration plan by a 4-4 split. that plan would have shielded 4 million immigrants and granted them work permits. president obama called the decision heartbreaking.

the 4-4 tie is possible, of course, because the gop-controlled senate has not voted on the president's nominee to replace antonen scalia leaving the court with just eight members. world series with david -- world world will david muir will have reaction to the supreme skort decision plus continuing coverage of the gun control sit-in. that is after "action news at 6. we're just a couple of hours away from the nba draft. and the start of what could be a new era for the sixers. we know about the first pick in the draft. but could the sixers be angling for another top five pick? "action news" reporter jeff cherco is live on the steps of the art museum where sixers fan also gather for a big watch party tonight. hello, jeff. >> good evening, jim. the first pick is another and hour a half but you can see some folks behind me already grabbing the front row seat so they can watch the draft pick right there on that big screen tv.

it is safe to say it's been a while since there's been this much excitement over the sixers. >> we deserve it. you know what i mean? as -- as sixer fans, we deserva excitement. and i think whatever direction they go, that's what it's going to bring. >> reporter: hall-of-famer allen iverson said what downtrodden sixers fans have been feeling. here where music is pumping ahead of the nba draft, hopes are high and excitement is building. >> we've been wait gorg 20 years since the last number one pick. and we can't be more excited. our fans are excited. the city's excited. >> reporter: ben simmons is considered to be the sixers' likely choice. they are also considering duke freshman brandon ingram. this family from monmouth county believes simmons is the right choice, and believe he could lead the sixers to the playoffs. >> he'd just an i mazing player. he might not be a good shooter but he is an amazing driver, amazing playmaker. and i feel like he would be a

great fit for the sixers. >> reporter: last time you remember this much excitement for the 76ers? >> when i was watching dr. j. so quite a few years ago. >> reporter: the party here will include a flight squad dunk show on this makeshift court and by 7:30, these chair also be filled with fans as they watch the draft pick on this screen live from new york. all this excitement as our iconic ben franklin may have to make room for a new ben. is philly ready for another ben? >> i gotta tell you, i think all bens are welcome. >> reporter: well, in addition to allen iverson, we are told julius irving and clarence weatherspoon are here. they are going to be talking to fans and that first pick is expected to come, i'm told, at 7:38. reare live at eakins oval, jeff chirico, "channel 6 action news." >> thank you, jeff. now another jeff, jeff skversky, live in brooklyn with a preview of the actual draft. hi, jeff. >> reporter: hey, jim. ben simmons has been dreaming about this moment since he was a little kid.

he is on stage right now for a photo op. there he is. in black and gold through the golden moment. we'll hear from ben simmons about his relationship with head coach brett brown in a live report coming up in sports. jim? >> thank you, jeff. and also ahead on "action news" tonight, a possible piece of history discovered underneath a home in delaware county. what crack in the walls revealed below. well, the severe storms are missing us to the south, but i am tracking some thunderstorms rolling across lancaster county moving into chester county and more may be on the way. i'll have details on that, what it means for your weekend in the accuweather seven-day forecast. those stories and much more when "action news" continues tonight.

this is new at 6:00 tonight. it is an extraordinary discovery in lansdowne that could find a house sitting on top of american history. right on top of the underground railroad. "action news" reporter janet reyes has the story. >> reporter: looking at this home, you'd never guess the rich history behind its walls or underneath the basement. >> it's kind of wild. something i've never seen before. i've been doing this for 20 years and never seen anything like it. >> something was definitely down there. >> reporter: it all start with a crack. >> we noticed that there were some cracks in the walls in the basement that were getting worse. >> reporter: owner alex poleos called in a mason company. they quickly worked to put up columns to support the ceiling. in the process, they tore a hole in the basement floor. what's when they literally got a peek into what appears to be a

piece of american history. >> try another room on the other side of this wall. >> reporter: local experts believe this was one of the many secret stops along the underground railroad. it's where runaway slaves were hidden in their quest for freedom. >> the rooms would be hidden. they'd be behind something, under something, blocked off somehow. so it's very likely. >> reporter: pollos' parents bought the home in the early 70s. they heard rumors about this. >> the neighbor actually told my dad in the past, i think there's a basement under your basement. >> reporter: but never imagined it could be true. >> a little bit in shock that we lived here for so many years and never knew that this existed. >> reporter: now they have what may well be proof and quite a story to tell. >> never forget this. i'll never forget this. >> reporter: alex tells me he has no plans of covering this hole back up. in fact, she wants to know what else may be down there. meanwhile, historians tell me that stops or stations like these aren't rare at all in this

area. it's just that homeowners might not know about them. reporting in lansdowne, i'm jeanette reyes for "channel 6 action news." >> jeanette reyes is the newest member of the "action news" team and her report tonight should tell you that she is a superb broadcast journalist. she vifnally from [ reading ]. most recently she worked at wjla in washington but we expect that jeanette will be working here for decades to come. and we're delighted she's here. we trust you are too. "action news" will continue in just a moment.

all right. so we know about the first pick. >> uh-huh. >> but that might even be outdone by their efforts to move up for a second pick. >> reporter: yeah, that might be secondary. at the end of tonight, jahlil okafor might not be on this team anymore. this might be a wild night for the sixers. not only do they have the number one overall pick, the team is actively trying to trade into the top five, perhaps number three, to snag another blue chip

player, perhaps providence point guard chris dunn. but for now, this night, as of now, is all about ben simmons. our jeff skversky is live in brooklyn with more on the big night ahead. jeff. >> reporter: ducis, ben simmons said he is not worried one bit about how he will fit in with the sixers considering they have a boatload of big men. his point, he's a point forward. and he will control the ball on the floor and set up different guys. and even he admits once we start playing together, we will come together. that is a sign he is headed to the sixers number one overall. let's take a look at ben simmons. yes, he is in the house tonight in brooklyn at the nba draft. checks out the suit, sporting a gold tie for the golden moment tonight. now, simmons says he's more comfortable with the sifters than any other team because of his relationship with head coach brett brown. the lsu forward has known him his entire life because his dad played for brown in australia.

yep, like father, like son. >> he's known me ever since i was born, as a young kid, and we've had that connection for a while. and now it's -- at this point so it's kind of strange how it's happened like this. >> the history and the background of knowing his former coach and family is strong. so when he comes in the gym you think you know enough and you always learn, and what you see is a 6'10", 240-pound stud of an athlete. >> reporter: simmons was the number one player in the entire country in steals per game for a guy taller than 6'5". and, yes, he has a tall cast ahead of him -- task ahead of him turning the sixers around as they'll take the first pick in 20 years since they took allen iverson. live in brooklyn, jeff skversky, "channel 6 action news." ducis? >> all right, jeff. thank you so much. we'll talk to you tonight. the sixers always with an eye on marketing are throwing a

draft party tonight on eakins oval on the ben franklin parkway. look who's there as well. the aforementioned allen iverson. he knows what this might can beanmine to the franchise. he's been in this position before. the number one overall pick in 1996. he has some advice for whomever the sixers take. >> better give everything you got, play every game like it's your last and they will love you. they will love you to death. that's all they want. these are the greatest fans ever. you know what i mean? and they just want you to give maximum effort. that's it. >> well said. all right. if you didn't stay up late last night, the phillies lost. that ran their losing streak nine games. let's call that rock bottom. this afternoon they had a chance to bounce back against the twins. ryan howard gets some playing time at the delaware valley h. and that will work. a homer in the seventh inning. howard goes 2 for 5. what gets into the little guy? a three-run shot in the eighth. his seventh of the season.

that ties his career high and we're not even at the all-star break. the skid is over. the phillies win 7-3. they'll be in san francisco tomorrow. >> thank you, ducis. 2,000 youngsters received a boost to their educations today. the children's scholarship fund handed out 2,000 new scholarships at the kimmel center in philadelphia. that now makes 10,000 children who have received awards through the organization in the past five years. former pennsylvania governor ed rendell was on hand to lend his support. the scholarships go to students "k" through eighth grade.

we've got lots of sun coming

and some heat as well. >> exactly for the weekend. we do have a few thunderstorms out there as well. stormtracker live double scan showing it's really not widespread. nothing severe right now, but there is a line of some thunderstorms working through lancaster county into northwest chester county. honey brook right now you're just south of this line. it's essentially between the pennsylvania turnpike and 322. we've had 28 lightning strikes with this and it's all diving to the southeast. so west chester's going to get involved in this. and we also have -- this isn't a thunderstorm. this is just a heavy downpour in browns mills right now. they really need the rain there with the forest fire. and it's moving into ocean county as well. and we will see a little bit more spotty activity tomorrow. today, though, it's warm. it's humid. 83 degrees, down from our high of 85. so seasonably warm. that's where we should be for this time of the year. trenton, 82. atlantic city airport, 83. reading, 80. and cape may dropped down to 75 degrees. satellite suction along with action radar showing we did have some morning showers, but fortunately, this complex of

severe weather diving well, down to the south. they had tornado warnings in north carolina, tornado watches in west virginia, and some severe flooding. that system will be stalling. and what that will do is bring up lots of clouds tonight. a few showers and thunderstorms. again, not widespread. it's going to be a muggy night. 69 for center city. and future tracker showing tomorrow morning lot of clouds to the south of philadelphia. plenty of sunshine up to the north. and then as we head through the day with heating in the day, could have a few pop-up showers and thunderstorms. so not completely dry. most areas, though, will be on the dry side. and then high pressure building in over the weekend. building to the east. so what that means is loads of sunshine through the weekend. it will be getting hot with a high up around 90 degrees by sunday. but low humidity. so a good weekend to get outdoors. and great weekend to head down the shore.

meteorologist melissa magee is in smithville, lake meone and, melissa, where is everybody? you're by yourself. >> reporter: well, you know what? they're actually hiding. actually, pan the camera this way, cecily. wave hello, guys. we're live on tv. >> oh, there they are. >> reporter: they don't want to be in the picture. but they were actually in we're at historic smithville, as you mentioned. 27 acres of fun. and there's a lot to do here at village green. we'll show you the shore forecast as we head into the weekend. on friday, a mostly sunny sky and a nice sea breeze as well. a high temperature of around 75 degrees. and as we get into the day on saturday, we've got a mostly sunny sky. it's nice and comfortable with a high up to 76. sunshine and clouds on sunday with a high up to 76 degrees as well. the water temperature, cecily, will be in the lower 60s. something to keep in mind, however, if you're going to venture out in the water is that there is a moderate risk for rip current. so a good idea to swim near any lifeguard or any lifeguarded beaches. that's the avery latest here

down the shore in smithville, new jersey. it's a place you got to check out. >> all right. thank you, melissa. bring me back more chocolate-covered strawberries. i saw she bought them. we never seem to get the food back here at the station when she buys it. so the exclusive accuweather seven-day forecast, tomorrowing, a mixture of clouds and sunshine. a stray shower possible. the weekend, 87 degrees on saturday. we bump it up to 90 on sunday. monday getting more humid increasing clouds. chance of a late thunderstorm. 88. tuesday, again, could have a few afternoon thunderstorms, 90 degrees. and then another bubble of high pressure building in on wednesday. partly sunny, 86. and thursday, sun and clouds with a high of 84 degrees. so all in all, a pretty nice weekend. >> all in all. thank you, cecily. finally tonight they unveil the new and improved ritz-carlton philadelphia today. this morning, they opened the vault and the $25 million transformation was unveiled to the public. guests mingled in the lobby before getting a tour.

renovations keep the tradition of the building. it first opened in 1908 as the girard trust bank. 299 rooms were redone in rich hughs, the colors of precious metals. it is the new ritz karlton philadelphia. abc news' "world news tonight" is next on channel 6. "action news" continues at 10:0, sharrie williams, adam joseph, and ducis rodgers. then please join us for "action news" at 11:00 here on channel 6. for cecily tynan, ducis rodgers, and the entire "action news" team, i'm jim gardner. we hope you'll join us for "action news" at 11:00.

breaking news tonight, as we come on. a state of emergency just declared. rescues now under way. an entire community under water. all eyes on a key dam at this hour. evacuations right now. worries about a child swept away. just as new storms are set to hit the mid-atlantic and parts of the east. and now ten confirmed tornadoes, homes leveled. also tonight, blocking the president. the supreme court halting the president's plan to keep 5 million undocumented immigrants from being deported. should they stay or should they go? hillary clinton and donald trump jump in tonight. also breaking, the 25-hour standoff inside the capitol over guns. the anger boiling over. >> radical islam.