Philadelphia journalist who advocated for homeless and LGBTQ+ communities shot and killed at home

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A tragic incident occurred in Philadelphia as a journalist and advocate, Josh Kruger, known for his commitment to supporting the homeless and LGBTQ+ communities, was fatally shot at his residence. The 39-year-old journalist, who had overcome homelessness and addiction himself, played a vital role in advocating for the city’s most marginalized populations. The unfortunate event unfolded at approximately 1:30 a.m. when Kruger was shot seven times. He sought help and managed to make it to the street but tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to a hospital. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with police indicating that the assailant may have entered Kruger’s Point Breeze home through an unlocked door or possessed knowledge of how to gain access. No arrests have been made, and no weapons have been recovered at this time.

Authorities have refrained from disclosing further details about the incident, leaving many questions unanswered. Mayor Jim Kenney expressed his condolences, highlighting Kruger’s deep care for the city and its residents, evident in both his public service and writing. Kenney praised Kruger’s intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit, emphasizing the premature dimming of his bright light.

Josh Kruger had previously handled social media responsibilities for the mayor and served as a communications professional for the Office of Homeless Services from 2016 to 2021. He later decided to shift his focus to writing projects for various news outlets and progressive causes. Kruger’s writing, characterized by its poignant and often humorous style, appeared in publications such as Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia City Paper, The Philadelphia Inquirer, earning him awards for his contributions.

On his personal website, Kruger described himself as a “militant bicyclist” and voiced support for linguistic elements such as the singular they, the Oxford comma, and pre-Elon Twitter.

District Attorney Larry Krasner, in a statement on Monday, lauded Kruger’s significant contributions to the city. Krasner acknowledged Kruger as an openly queer writer who courageously shared his own journey of overcoming substance use disorder and homelessness. He praised Kruger for using his platform to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable and stigmatized members of the community, particularly those experiencing homelessness and addiction. Krasner concluded by emphasizing that Josh Kruger deserved to determine the conclusion of his personal narrative.

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More about Tragic Shooting of Philadelphia Journalist and Advocate

• Philadelphia Inquirer Article on Josh Kruger’s Shooting