Five dead in Philadelphia shooting that’s nation’s worst violence around July 4

Philadelphia Shooting: Five Dead in the Deadliest Act of Violence Around July 4

A tragic incident unfolded in a Philadelphia neighborhood when a 40-year-old individual first killed one person in a house and then proceeded to shoot four others on the streets. The suspect, armed with an assault rifle, a pistol, additional magazines, a police scanner, and a bulletproof vest, eventually surrendered to the police after being cornered in an alley.

In the midst of this violent episode on Monday night, a 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old were also injured, making it the most severe act of violence during the July Fourth holiday period. Upon arrival at the scene, police officers discovered gunshot victims and began providing aid. However, the sound of more shots prompted some officers to rush the victims to hospitals, while others bravely pursued the shooter. The assailant was eventually apprehended in an alley, according to Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, who addressed the incident in a press conference. Outlaw confirmed that the shooter had no prior connection to the victims.

“On what was supposed to be a beautiful summer evening, this armed and armored individual wreaked havoc, firing at their victims seemingly at random,” Outlaw stated on Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect, wearing a ski mask and body armor, was seen in video footage going to various locations while carrying an AR-15-style rifle. “The suspect then began shooting aimlessly at occupied vehicles and individuals on the street as they walked,” said Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom, the commander of the homicide unit. Among the victims were a mother driving her 2-year-old twins home, one of whom sustained leg injuries, while the other was hit by shattered glass in the eyes.

The victims have been identified by Philadelphia police as Lashyd Merritt (20 years old), Dymir Stanton (29 years old), Ralph Moralis (59 years old), Daujan Brown (15 years old), and Joseph Wamah Jr. (31 years old). Wamah, the first victim killed, was found by family members hours after the shooting. A 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy who suffered leg injuries, as well as a 2-year-old boy and a 33-year-old woman injured by shattered glass, remain in stable condition.

Authorities believe the suspect acted alone, and there is no indication of anyone else being involved. While a second individual was taken into custody for possessing a firearm and firing back at the shooter, no charges were immediately planned.

District Attorney Larry Krasner emphasized the ongoing investigation and asked for patience as they delve into all aspects of the shooting, including determining the motive.

The suspect is expected to face multiple counts of murder, along with charges of aggravated assault and weapons offenses. Mayor Jim Kenney of Philadelphia, commenting on the incident, once again called for action to address America’s gun problem. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Outlaw praised the officers’ bravery for providing assistance to the victims and apprehending the suspect, stating that their swift actions undoubtedly saved additional lives.

Tragically, this shooting in Philadelphia marked the country’s 29th mass killing of 2023, the highest number recorded by this time of the year, according to a database maintained by The Big Big News and USA Today in collaboration with Northeastern University. The total number of fatalities resulting from such incidents is also the highest at this point in the year. Since 2006, there have been over 550 mass killings, resulting in the deaths of at least 2,900 people and injuring more than 2,000 others, according to the database.

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• Philadelphia shooting: 5 dead in the nation’s worst violence around July 4
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• The Big Big News Mass Shootings Database
• Gun Violence Statistics in the United States