The scourge of American gun violence continued unabated on Monday night when a gunman—wearing a bullet-proof vest complete with police scanner—shot six people, four fatally, in a tragic shooting in southwest Philadelphia’s Kingsessing section.
During a late Monday night conference, police confirmed that five people have been killed.
Officials said early investigations appeared to indicate that the shooting seemed completely random, and that the gunman shot his victims on a whim. The victims were all on the street, or in their car.
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“At this point we don’t see a connection between any of the victims and the shooter,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a press conference.
Outlaw confirmed the mayhem began at 8:29 p.m. Monday evening, when officers were “flagged down” for help at 56th and Chester Street by multiple gunshot victims. Police also reported 911 calls for help.
Within minutes, as police were “scooping up” the victims and preparing them for transport to hospital, officers heard more gunshots up the road and then again at a separate scene within blocks of each other, where the officers were finally able to locate the suspect and pursue him as the gunman continued to shoot. “He was actively shooting a firearm at the time our officers were pursuing,” Outlaw said.
By 8:40 p.m., law enforcement had not only apprehended the perpetrator in an alleyway but also recovered an AR-15-style rifle, handgun, and additional magazines of ammunition. He was wearing a bullet-proof vest and had a police scanner on his person.
Outlaw described how officers had “cornered” the man in an alleyway and that despite shooting at them minutes prior, he gave in to officer’s commands and was taken into custody without incident.
The gunman—who is believed to have shot at least 50 times—is now in custody.
His identity has not been released though Outlaw said he was a 40-year-old Black male. “We have absolutely no idea why this happened,” Outlaw said. “We have this person in custody, we’re doing what we can to positively identify him, I can’t tell you if we’ve had previous contact with this individual or not but thank God our officers were here on scene.
“I can’t even describe the level of bravery and courage that was shown. We unfortunately have six victims here but it could have been more.
“All we know is that this person decided to leave their home and to target individuals.”
The number of people shot and killed was revised from earlier reports that numbered eight. The revised death toll, Outlaw confirmed, is five. Among the two who survived, who are both in a stable condition, are a 2-year-old and 13-year-old. The deceased’s ages are 20, 22 and 59, although one victim remains unidentified. All victims are male.
A second person was also in custody though it is unclear if they are related to the shooter. Outlaw said the person “acquired a gun somehow” and “returned fire in the direction of the shooter” but that “we’re still trying to sort everything out.” That person was also not identified.
Several of the injured were taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and at least one of the juveniles is being transported from Penn Presbyterian to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“Horrified by the reports of a shooting in Southwest Philadelphia,” Mayor Jim Kenney tweeted afterwards. “My sincere thanks to @PhillyPolice for their brave response and successful apprehension of a suspect.”
Read it at Philadelphia Inquirer
