Philly's Homicide Count Hit 353 last year... - Philadelphia Has Gone To Hell In A Handbasket

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/new...or-his-life-after-shooting-in-philly/2352641/

2 Critical After 2 Separate Philly Shootings
The shootings occurred less than a week after Mayor Kenney called on residents and prosecutors to crack down on gun violence in Philadelphia in order to protect first responders amid the coronavirus pandemic.
By David Chang • Published April 4, 2020 • Updated on April 4, 2020 at 7:05 pm

Two men are fighting for their lives following two separate shootings in Philadelphia on Saturday.

The first shooting occurred on the 1600 block of Wakeling Street at 9:52 a.m. A 21-year-old man was walking in the area when an unidentified gunman opened fire. The man was shot once in the neck and twice in the shoulder. He was taken to Temple University Hospital in critical condition.

At 4:58 p.m. two men were arguing over a car that was double parked on the 2500 block of West Clearfield Street. One of the men then pulled out a gun and shot the other man three times in the back. The 25-year-old victim was taken to Temple University Hospital where he is in critical but stable condition.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...ng-pandemic-after-spike-in-thefts-burglaries/

Coronavirus Latest: Philadelphia Police Department Changes Arrest Policy During Pandemic After Spike In Thefts, Burglaries
By CBS3 Staff
May 1, 2020 at 7:01 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — After a spike in thefts and burglaries, Philadelphia police will once again immediately arrest suspects accused of those crimes. Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, police stopped making arrests for a variety of non-violent offenses to contain the spread of the virus.

Instead, police filled out paperwork and vowed to take suspects into custody later. But starting now, police will make instant arrests for burglaries, retail thefts, stolen cars, thefts from cars and people.

“At the time of the change, the department was clear in that the list of offenses was subject to review and revision as conditions continued to evolve,” Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said. “Predictably, conditions have, in fact, evolved in dynamic fashion. Accordingly, we have reviewed our current protocols and have made several adjustments.”

Philadelphia police were already arresting people wanted for violent crimes.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...ead-9-others-injured-in-6-separate-shootings/

Outbreak Of Gun Violence In Philadelphia Leaves 2 People Dead, 9 Others Injured In 6 Separate Shootings
By Trang Do
May 29, 2020 at 6:26 am

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Eleven people were shot and at least two people were killed, after six separate shootings overnight in Philadelphia. The youngest victim is just 14 years old.

He was shot in the chest just after 1 a.m. on the 2600 block of Germantown Avenue in North Philadelphia. He is expected to survive.

“The victim, after being shot, ran about a half a block to another business and that’s where police found him,” Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

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The wave of shootings began just after 10:45 p.m. Thursday with a quadruple shooting on the 300 block of N. 55th Street in West Philadelphia. Police say two men opened fire on a group of people sitting on a porch. The four victims range in age from 22 to 30. A 27-year-old man died in that shooting.

“One of the things that we definitely are doing is trying to be surgical, we don’t want to hurt the community, but we also need to identify these males who are doing the shooting out here,” Deputy Commissioner Melvin Singleton said.

A 37-year-old man was killed on the 5200 block of Wayne Avenue in Germantown around 11:15 p.m. Police found the man in the driver’s seat of a car, with a gunshot wound to the neck. Shell casings at the scene indicate the gunman fired off at least 13 shots. Chief Inspector Small said the man had just left a friend’s apartment nearby.

“It appears that right after he was shot, he lost control and crashed into a parked, unattended vehicle,” Small said.

Just before midnight, a man was shot in the chest and stomach on the 1600 block of S. Conestoga Street in Kingsessing. Officers rushed him to Penn Presbyterian Hospital.

Three people are recovering after a triple shooting around midnight on the 1300 block of S. Ringgold Street in Point Breeze. A 52-year-old woman was inside her home when a bullet grazed her thigh.

Two young men, ages 22 and 18, were shot in the legs.

At around 12:30 a.m., police responded to a shooting near the intersection of 12th and Huntingdon Street. Officers transported a 27-year-old man to Temple Hospital in with gunshot wounds to his legs.

No one has been arrested in any of the shootings, although there is surveillance video of at least one of the incidents.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...philadelphia-deals-with-second-day-of-unrest/

12-Year-Old Boy Wounded In Kensington Quadruple Shooting As Philadelphia Deals With Second Day Of Unrest
By CBS3 Staff
May 31, 2020 at 7:31 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A 12-year-old boy was wounded in a quadruple shooting in the Kensington section of the city as violence and looting has plagued Philadelphia for a second day on Sunday. The shooting happened on the 700 block of East Clearfield Street around 5 p.m.

Philadelphia police say the 12-year-old was shot twice in the arm and taken to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in stable condition.

A 26-year-old man was shot multiple times and taken to Temple University Hospital in unknown condition.

A 52-year-old man was shot multiple times and was taken to Temple Hospital in critical condition.

A 21-year-old woman suffered a graze wound to her head and was taken to Temple University Hospital Episcopal Campus.

The shooting comes as the city is dealing with its second straight day of violence and looting following Saturday’s protests demanding justice for George Floyd, the man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis.

No arrests have been made.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...-up-21-percent-highest-in-more-than-a-decade/

Philadelphia Police Report Homicide Rate Up 21 Percent, Highest In More Than A Decade
June 1, 2020 at 1:31 pm

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Amid the destruction erupting amid protests over the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, police in Philadelphia are also reporting a drastic increase in the homicide rate in the city. Police reported eight homicides Sunday and early Monday in different parts of the city, where the 158 homicides as of the end of May constituted a 21 percent increase above the rate last year, which was already the highest number in more than a decade in the city of 1.5 million.

Police said a triple shooting shortly before noon Sunday in west Philadelphia killed a 23-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man and critically wounded another 25-year-old man. Other homicides in north and west Philadelphia killed a 30-year-old man shot four times and a 23-year-old man shot 15 times.

Gunfire also killed a 22-year-old man found face-down in the street in west Philadelphia and a 19-year-old Sharon Hill man found dead hours later in a car in southwest Philadelphia. Early Monday, a 34-year-old man was killed on a north Philadelphia street and an 18-year-old was killed and a 17-year-old wounded in west Philadelphia.

Officers also responded to other non-fatal shootings around the city, including a double shooting, a triple shooting and a quadruple shooting in different parts of the city. Officials said the city’s police commissioner, Danielle Outlaw, was not attending Sunday’s briefing because she was heading to the quadruple shooting scene.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...elated-gun-battle-in-hunting-park-police-say/

6 People Injured After More Than 20 Shots Fired In Possible Gang-Related Gun Battle In Hunting Park, Police Say
By Jan Carabeo
June 12, 2020 at 5:36 am

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It was an all-out gun battle in Philadelphia’s Hunting Park neighborhood after more than 20 shots were fired, leaving six people injured. Philadelphia police are investigating on the 4100 block of Broad Street and on the 1300 block of Colwyn Street.

The violence started just after 1 a.m. Friday on the corner of Broad and Colwyn Streets. Police say six people were standing on the corner when a group of men in ski masks rolled up in a vehicle, jumped out and opened fire.

Police say one man in the group then fired back. As everyone scattered, he ran down Colwyn Street.

In all, six people were injured, including five men and one woman. They arrived at Temple and Einstein Hospitals in private vehicles. They were all shot in the lower body and are in stable condition.

Police say the incident was all caught on camera.

“One of the shooting victims ran into someone’s home. They told them to leave and he exited the home. That male is also in the hospital at this time. So we’re holding cars at Temple University Hospital, were holding the 4100 block of Broad Street and the 1300 block of Colwyn,” Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Melvin Singleton said.

The man who returned fire is among the injured and is in the hospital. He is being held by police.

The exact motive for the shooting remains unclear but police do believe it was gang-related.

Police are searching for the suspects.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...s-skyrocketing-violence-after-nephews-murder/

Justice For All: Philadelphia Police Commander Tackling City’s Skyrocketing Violence After Nephew’s Murder
By Matt Petrillo
June 16, 2020 at 7:04 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — In the coming weeks, Eyewitness News will be bringing you stories committed to helping our community heal and grow with the issues now at the forefront. We’re calling it “Justice For All.”

After weeks of protests and civil unrest, a Philadelphia police commander is asking: Where is the outrage when it comes to the city’s skyrocketing homicide rate?

Just halfway through 2020, Philadelphia’s homicide rate is already on track to be a record-breaker and many of those killed were black men.

“We’re losing far too many lives,” Philadelphia Police Inspector Derrick Wood said.

Among the more than 180 lives taken from their families this year from Philadelphia’s gun violence is Tyshawn Woods.

The 22-year-old was shot dead on the 4400 block of Old York Road in the city’s Logan section last week.

“He was charismatic, a lady’s man, had a good sense of humor,” Wood said.

Insp. Wood says Woods was his nephew and his second nephew to be gunned down in the city’s streets.

It compelled him to tweet this: “While we are working on ending racism and police brutality.. We should be working just as hard on ending this gun violence. In lieu of your thoughts and prayers.. I prefer you do something to help end this pervasive gun violence in Philadelphia.”

“Everybody can do something. You can be a mentor, we have the Police Athletic League, young kids can get involved with that. You can volunteer at your church to be a mentor. Another thing we have is the Police Explorers,” Wood said.

On Tuesday, Eyewitness News found a message painted outside a home on North Broad Street in Philly that says “if black lives matter, stop black on black killings period.”

“When people are killed by the police or another person, their lives all matter the same. It doesn’t matter, I think we need to realize that,” Wood said.

He said he is organizing a march against gun violence in West Philadelphia Friday morning.

He also plans to release steps to make the city safer.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...ly-shot-during-violent-night-in-philadelphia/

Man Who Was In Town Visiting Dad For Father’s Day Fatally Shot During Violent Night In Philadelphia
By Jan Carabeo
June 25, 2020 at 12:12 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Philadelphia police say at least six people were shot and two have died during another violent night in the city. The crime scene unit was busy Thursday morning looking for evidence on the 1900 block of South Croskey Street in South Philadelphia.

Police say two people, a 30-year-old man and his 27-year-old girlfriend, were ambushed around 1:30 a.m.

“That’s when two males approached and fired at least 16 shots,” Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. “Several of the shell casings where just feet away from the front porch where the two victims were sitting when they were shot.”

The woman was shot in the foot and is stable. The man was shot in the head and died at the hospital.

Police say he lived in Ohio and was in the city to see his father.

“He was visiting his father for Father’s Day on this block and staying at his house,” Small said.

This wasn’t the only shooting in Philadelphia overnight. There were at least three others, including one that left a 32-year-old man dead. That shooting happened on the 3100 block of North Lee Street in Kensington.

Police say 12 shots were fired, at least five of them hitting the victim.

Over in North Philly at 5th and West York Streets, two men, ages 28 and 22, were shot. They are both in stable condition.

And on the 3200 block of West Susquehanna Avenue in Strawberry Mansion, a 44-year-old man was shot and taken to the hospital in critical condition.

No weapons were found at any of these scenes and no arrests have been made.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...ounded-in-three-separate-shootings-incidents/

Police: 1 Dead, 4 Wounded In Three Separate Shootings Incidents
By CBS3 Staff
June 27, 2020 at 7:53 am

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — One person is dead and four others are injured following another night of gun violence in our area. Police say a man was found shot to death in an alleyway near 67th Street and Greenway Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

So far, there are no suspects.

Then in North Philadelphia, a shooting has sent a man and woman to the hospital. According to police, at least 21 shell casings were found at the scene, on the 800 block of North 10th Street.

Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital. There is no word on their conditions at this time

Police are checking surveillance video near the scene.

And there’s been a shooting outside a radio station in Bala Cynwyd.

According to police, two people were shot outside the studios of More FM 101.1, on the 200 block of City Avenue just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

Police say the shooting may be connected to an altercation earlier in the morning.

Both victims are in stable condition at the hospital. So far, no arrests have been made.

All of these incidents are under investigation.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...ing-violent-july-4th-weekend-in-philadelphia/

Police: 26 People Shot, 7 Dead, Including 6-Year-Old, During Violent July 4th Weekend In Philadelphia
By Dan Koob
July 6, 2020 at 6:22 am

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – More gun violence in the city of Philadelphia. Seven people died from gunfire in a little more than a day over the 4th of July weekend.

Philadelphia police say Sunday through Monday morning, 26 people were shot and seven victims were killed, including many under the age of 21. That includes a 6-year-old boy who died after being shot in the chest in the far northeast area of Philadelphia on the 4600 block of Kendrick Street.

Philadelphia police were kept busy all day Sunday.

Five shootings involved more than one victim, including in Overbrook, part of a triple shooting where a 15-year-old was later pronounced dead.

Homicides continue to rise in the city despite the COVID-19 restrictions. Homicides are now up 22% from this same point a year ago.

“COVID is one of the epidemics we’re dealing with, but we’re also continuing to deal with the prevalence of homicides and shootings in our community,” Inspector Jarreau Thomas said. “Prayerfully, we can find out who committed these crimes and we can bring some peace and closure to the members of this community.”

Police tell Eyewitness News there are 18 separate incidents from Sunday, one arrest has been made.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/07/05/july-4th-weekend-philadelphia-gun-violence-homicides/

Violent July 4th Weekend In Philadelphia Sees At Least 21 People Shot, 5 Homicides
By Trang Do
July 5, 2020 at 10:10 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It was a violent Fourth of July weekend in Philadelphia with police racing to several different shooting scenes in what has been a tragic 24 hours. At least 21 people have been shot, with five dead in just a six-hour span Sunday, according to homicide detectives. One of the victims was a child

The latest shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. at 63rd Street and Nassau Road in Overbrook. Police say a triple shooting has left a 15-year-old boy critically wounded and two men hospitalized in stable condition.

This was just the very latest in a sobering string of gun violence.

Twenty-four hours of non-stop shootings in the City of Philadelphia left nearly a half-dozen dead, including a 6-year-old boy. The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting inside an Upper Holmesburg home Sunday afternoon remain unclear.

“I don’t know what happened, I know it’s going to be super, super sad,” neighbor Greg Van Ball said. “I know the family and I know the little guy. It’s really, really upsetting.”

July 5 started with two men shot on the 600 block of South Street at 2:30 a.m. and then another double shooting at 1:30 p.m. on the 1800 block of Wallace Street in Spring Garden.

Less than an hour later, a 37-year-old woman was shot 12 times in the torso and killed on the 1900 block of Clarence Street in Harrowgate.

At 3:20 p.m., another woman was shot in the arm on the 2700 block of North Broad Street.

At the same time in Point Breeze, a double shooting left one man dead on the 1300 block of 17th Street.

In North Philadelphia, a 43-year-old man was fatally shot in the back of the head on the 2300 block of Croskey Street.

Then, just before 5 p.m., an 11-year-old girl in Southwest Philly suffered a graze wound on the 2500 block of 67th Street.

Just before 6:30 p.m., one man died in a double shooting outside of a home on the 2100 block of East Ann Street in Kensington. Police say two gunmen approached and opened fire as the men sat together during a barbecue on the block.

“COVID is one of the epidemics we’re dealing with, but we’re also continuing to deal with the prevalence of homicides and shootings in our community,” Inspector Jarreau Thomas said. “Prayerfully, we can find out who committed these crimes and we can bring some peace and closure to the members of this community.”

Out of a dozen shootings since 10:30 p.m. Saturday, police have made one arrest and recovered the gun in the homicide of the 37-year-old woman in Harrowgate.

Mayor Jim Kenney tweeted on Sunday night, “This weekend is a stark reminder that COVID-19 isn’t our only crisis. Gun violence continues to traumatize our communities and cut lives short.”

He also urged anyone with information on the violence to call the anonymous tip line, 215-686-TIPS.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...h-weekend-in-philadelphia-police-sources-say/

31 People Shot, 7 Dead, Including 6-Year-Old, During Violent July 4th Weekend In Philadelphia, Police Sources Say
By CBS3 Staff
July 6, 2020 at 10:05 am

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – More gun violence in the city of Philadelphia. Seven people died from gunfire in a little more than a day over the 4th of July weekend. Philadelphia police sources tell Eyewitness News, from Friday through Sunday, there have been 31 shootings total, including seven homicides.

Among the gunshot victims, eight are under the age of 21, including a 15, 11, and 6-year-old. Violence stretched from the far northeast on the 4600 block of Kendrick Street, where a 6-year-old boy was shot in the chest and killed.

According to Philadelphia police, the death of the 6-year-old boy was an accident. Officials say a younger child was handling the gun when it discharged and fatally struck the boy.

It has not been determined if any adults will face endangerment charges at this time.

Philadelphia police were kept busy all day Sunday.

Five shootings involved more than one victim, including in Overbrook, part of a triple shooting where a 15-year-old was later pronounced dead. He was riding his bike when he, and two others were shot.

Police do not believe he was the intended target.

The violence prompted Mayor Jim "Banana Nose" Kenney to tweet, “This weekend is a stark reminder that COVID-19 isn’t our only crisis. Gun violence continues to traumatize our communities and cut lives short. Today we lost an innocent 6-year-old child, a woman in Kensington, and a man in South Philadelphia, and others were critically wounded.”

Homicides continue to rise in the city despite the COVID-19 restrictions. Homicides are now up 22% from this same point a year ago.

“COVID is one of the epidemics we’re dealing with, but we’re also continuing to deal with the prevalence of homicides and shootings in our community,” Inspector Jarreau Thomas said. “Prayerfully, we can find out who committed these crimes and we can bring some peace and closure to the members of this community.”

Police tell Eyewitness News there are 18 separate incidents from Sunday, one arrest has been made.

Homicides in the city are up 22% over one year ago and are now up to 202 in total, according to police statistics. This year is on pace to be the deadliest year in Philadelphia in the last 13 years.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...nfire-erupts-in-olney-gun-violence-continues/

Gun Violence Continues To Plague Philadelphia As At Least 7 People Shot Tuesday Night
By CBS3 Staff
July 7, 2020 at 9:12 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The city of Philadelphia continues to be ravaged by gun violence after yet another series of shootings Tuesday night. At least seven people have been shot in the city.

The violence began around 4 p.m. after police say a 21-year-old man was shot several times in a car on the 3800 block of Folsom Street.

According to police, the man suffered gunshot wounds to his legs and lower abdomen.

The victim was rushed to the hospital where he’s listed in critical condition. Police say he is expected to survive.

So far no arrests have been made.

Police say they are investigating whether the shooting was drug-related after a large amount of a green, leafy substance was found inside the vehicle.

A few hours after, police say two men were shot along the 5100 block of 8th Street around 6:20 p.m. in the city’s Olney section.

One of the victims, a 22-year-old man, is in critical condition after he was shot once in the head and once in the thigh. The second victim, an 18-year-old man, was shot twice in the lower back but was able to drive himself to a nearby hospital where he is in stable condition.

So far, no arrests have been made.

In North Philadelphia, two more men were shot Tuesday night. Police say the shooting happened on the 2400 block of North Park Avenue around 6:30 p.m.

The victims, a 51-year-old and a 31-year-old, are both in stable condition.

Police say an arrest has been made.

The violence did not end there. On the 1600 block of North 6th Street, police say a 25-year-old man was shot three times. He is listed in stable condition.

So far, no arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, on the 5900 block of Spring Street, a 57-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and is in stable condition at the hospital.

So far, no arrests have been made.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/07/25/gunfire-kills-3-wounds-at-least-6-around-philadelphia/

Gunfire Kills 3, Wounds At Least 6 Around Philadelphia
July 25, 2020 at 1:58 pm

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Police say gunfire claimed the lives of at least three men and wounded at least a half-dozen others around the city of Philadelphia. In South Philadelphia shortly before 10:30 p.m. Friday, a 24-year-old shot four times was pronounced dead at Jefferson University Hospital.

Another 24-year-old man shot multiple times throughout the head and body was pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Just before midnight Friday, police said an 18-year-old man was shot twice in the chest on a street in a different part of South Philadelphia. He died shortly afterward at a hospital. A 19-year-old man who drove himself to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

Gunfire in other shootings sent at least six other people to hospitals, one in critical condition.

No arrests were announced in any of the cases.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...tigating-more-gun-violence-cases-across-city/

Philadelphia Police Investigating More Gun Violence Cases Across City
By CBS3 Staff
July 26, 2020 at 7:42 am

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police are investigating more cases of gun violence across the city. A 35-year-old was shot in the chest in West Oak Lane during the overnight hours Sunday.

Police say the shooting happened just after 1:30 a.m. on the 1500 block of Mohican Street.

CBS3 told the victim was transported to the hospital. So far, no arrests have been made.

Police are also investigating a shooting on Essington Avenue in South Philadelphia near 67th Street.

Police say a 31-year-old woman at Presbyterian Medical Center told investigators she was shot at that location sometime after 2 a.m.

No further information is available at this time.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...olice-cars-set-on-fire-across-city-overnight/

Multiple Philadelphia Police Cars Set On Fire Across City Overnight
By CBS3 Staff
July 27, 2020 at 5:38 am

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Multiple Philadelphia police cars were set on fire across the city overnight. Now investigators are trying to figure out who set those fires.

Eyewitness News was outside the University City Police District offices at 40th and Chestnut Streets, where one police car there was set on fire. Officers on the scene say someone tried to set the front of the cop car on fire.

Another police vehicle was set on fire, not far from there, at 39th Street and Lancaster Avenue. This happened outside of the 16th District station. The damage to that vehicle is minor.

Two other police vehicles were set on fire closer to Center City. One was in Chinatown in the 6th District and the other in Old City at 7th and Chestnut Streets.

It’s not clear what type of devices were used to set the vehicles on fire, but in most cases, the fire was set in the front wheel wells.

Authorities are telling officers in marked vehicles to go into district lots and remain with their vehicles.

No arrests have been made.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...olice-cars-set-on-fire-across-city-overnight/

Multiple Philadelphia Police Cars Set On Fire Across City Overnight
By Howard Monroe
July 27, 2020 at 12:38 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Multiple Philadelphia police cars were set on fire across the city overnight. Now investigators are trying to figure out who set fires to at least four patrol vehicles.

The first incident was reported around 1:40 a.m. Monday at 11th and Vine Streets in Chinatown, which is right outside of the 6th District Police Headquarters. By mid-morning police were taping off the area and called it a crime scene.

The next call was minutes later at 7th and Chestnut Streets in Old City, which is also in the 6th District. Police say someone there tried to set a police van on fire.

The most significant damage occurred in the 18th District at 39th and Chestnut Streets in University City, around 2:30 a.m. Severe damage was visible to the front of the car and the windshield.

The final call to come in was at 39th Street and Lancaster Avenue, also in University City. The damage to that vehicle is minor.

The suspect in the fires at 39th Street and Lancaster Avenue and 39th and Chestnut Streets is described as a white male wearing a flannel shirt and backpack. Police say he was seen on surveillance cameras fleeing the scenes on a white Cannondale bike.

All four fires were set within an hour of each other.

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It’s not clear what type of devices were used to set the vehicles on fire, but in most cases, the fire was set in the front wheel wells.

No officers were hurt in any of the fires.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw says the fires are now being investigated as arson.

“Quite frankly, it’s a slap in the face, you know? Especially at that time of the morning and our officers, regardless of how many times, whether there is an anti-police sentiment or a lack of support, we still get up, we go to work and we work very hard,” Outlaw said. “We’re human beings and I think people forget that. To damage the tools, or one of the tools, that we have available to us to not only keep us safe but in order to allow us to do our job, it’s a huge slap in the face.”

Police officers were advised by radio not to leave their vehicles unattended. Some officers took their patrol cars to garages.

It’s not clear if these incidents are linked to recent unrest in Philadelphia and across the country.

No arrests have been made.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...-highest-homicide-rate-in-more-than-a-decade/

Philadelphia Rolls Out New Plan To Curb Violence As City On Track To Have Highest Homicide Rate In More Than A Decade
By Matt Petrillo
July 31, 2020 at 5:23 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia is on track to have its highest homicide rate in more than a decade. City leaders are now rolling out a new plan to curb the violence. :rolleyes:

The new plan is called Group Violence Intervention. It aims to tackle gun violence by, in part, trying to tackle poverty. :rolleyes:

It comes as new security video shows another teenager’s last moments as gunfire erupts.

Security video released by Philadelphia police shows a gunman firing multiple shots at a 19-year-old victim during an alleged robbery that turned fatal. It happened July 1 at Front and Indiana Streets in Kensington.

Now officers need help identifying the two suspects.

“The shootings must stop,” said Vanessa Garrett Harley, Philadelphia’s deputy managing director for public safety.

Harley acknowledges it’s been a violent year. The city has seen more than 1,000 shootings and more than 240 people killed so far this year.

But Harley believes the city’s new Group Violence Intervention program will change that by giving people more of an economic opportunity.

“To link people to those individual needs. For some folks having a job is a need and so we may be helping them to get involved, whether it is a job-readiness program or some adult education program, or ultimately a job,” Harley said.

So far, Philadelphia has set aside $750,000 for the program. State Rep. Joanna McClinton, of Southwest Philadelphia, is working to secure another $500,000 from the state.

“The cost of gun violence, there is no price,” McClinton said. “The idea that we can get in front of it and intervene before these incidents occur, it just gives so much hope and encouragement.”

The Group Violence Intervention program is expected to have a soft launch this weekend.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...ire-of-west-philadelphia-shootout-police-say/

7-Year-Old Boy Caught In Crossfire Among Those Killed In Violent Weekend Across Philadelphia
By CBS3 Staff
August 3, 2020 at 11:12 pm
Filed Under:Local, Local TV, Philadelphia News

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia Police say the 7-year-old boy who was shot on his front porch over the weekend has died. Zamar Jones was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. Monday at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

This shooting was part of a violent weekend across the city. So far this year, there have been 257 people killed. That means at this point of the year we have seen as many killings as in 1992.

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Police say Zamar was playing with his toys around 7:40 p.m. Saturday when he was caught in the crossfire of a shootout where at least 16 shots were exchanged. The 7-year-old was shot in the head.

On Monday, officials announced that 27-year-old Christopher Linder is facing first-degree murder charges in connection to the shooting.

Police are still searching for two other suspects.

Philadelphia Cure Violence says this is exactly what they’re trying to prevent.

“We’re not just killing us no more, it has gotten so worse that now we’re killing our family,” said Philadelphia Cure Violence Street Supervisor Colwin Williams.

Monday evening, Philadelphia Cure Violence went to the neighborhood where the young life was lost.

The grassroots organization is made up of ex-offenders who were once part of the problem.

“We got to stop looking outside the community. We’ve got enough Black men walking up and down this street where they can police their own community. We’ve got enough Black men out here that could touch base with every one of these young guys and talk to them. Believe it or not, most of them just need attention because they didn’t have it,” Williams said.

Philadelphia Cure Violence is hoping to stand in the gap.

“That ain’t my child or that ain’t my cousin. But the reaper is knocking on every other door. Because you see, you don’t even need to be in the game,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, Eyewitness News was on a North Philadelphia block in Sharswood to learn about the killing of a woman named Temieka Woods, when a mother and sister of another victim from Saturday were randomly visiting family in the area.

Keon Davis was shot and killed outside a city auto body shop.

“I really can’t wrap my mind around it. Why people would do these things, my son came from a loving, caring home. He didn’t take anything from nobody,” said Davis’ mother.

Philadelphia Police Staff Insp. Sekou Kinebrew addressed the senseless violence that claimed two innocent people in a matter of hours.

“A lot of these beefs are people that got inflamed and tensions inflamed over social media insults or perceived insults, and just handled it in reckless, criminal ways, that are affecting people outside of those who they’re having these disagreements with,” Kinebrew said.

Now there is a plea from a shellshocked mother to the city, a woman who will bury her son tomorrow.

“Do more,” Davis’ mother says. “Please put the guns down because you’re killing innocent people. People that are worth something. My son was worth a lot,” Davis’ mother said.

There is an emergency community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at 200 N. Simpson Street to address the violence. Attendees are asked to bring a mask and chair.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...-in-philadelphia-so-far-this-year-police-say/

100 Children Have Been Shot In Philadelphia So Far This Year, Police Say
By Alecia Reid
August 6, 2020 at 5:17 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The plague of gun violence in Philadelphia is taking its toll on its youngest citizens. On Thursday, police confirmed an alarming 100 children have been shot in the city so far this year.

Police say it will take a multi-pronged approach to keep children safe.

This afternoon, police confirmed all three suspects wanted in Saturday’s shooting death of 7-year-old Zamar Jones are now in custody.

Hours before turning himself in, Damar Jones posted to social media, saying he did not kill Zamar but apologized for his role in Saturday’s shootout. His attorney was by his side as he was taken into custody.

“I think it’s clearly a case of self-defense here. Damar’s just there on the block with Michael so whoever shot back at the driver clearly was acting in self-defense, that [Christopher] Linder was the shooter in the case and Linder was most likely the one that shot the 7-year-old boy,” attorney Doug Dolfman said.

Police took 27-year-old Linder into custody that night after he returned to the scene to try to retrieve his bullet-riddled truck.

On Wednesday, 30-year-old Michael Banks turned himself in. His motion for bail was denied and a preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 26. Both men are facing a number of charges, including murder.

“This culture of violence where we have adults are willing to shoot indiscriminately into crowds of people without care or concern for women or children,” Philadelphia Police First Deputy Commissioner Melvin Singleton said.

While involved in this manhunt, police were called for another West Philadelphia shooting Wednesday night where a 6-year-old girl playing outside with friends was shot in the chest. She remains in the hospital in stable condition.

Police say there is a plan in place to curb the violence, but it will take some time.

“Now we have to be strategic, targeted, identify our repeat offenders and target those folks,” Singleton said.

The department is still working to find the person responsible for shooting the 6-year-old girl.

Both shootings occurred less than three miles apart in West Philly.
 
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