Five men were killed, and two children were injured in a shooting spree in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood on the eve of Independence Day.
The incident unfolded as families were enjoying festivities in the area. The assailant, armed with an AR-style rifle and a handgun, opened fire on unsuspecting victims.
Authorities identified the suspect as 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, who was apprehended shortly after the shooting.
The victims have been named as Ralph Moralis, 59, Joseph Wamah Jr., 31, Lashyd Merritt, 20, Dymir Stanton, 29, and Daujan Brown, 15. Four of the victims were found at the scene, while the fifth was discovered hours later in his home by his father. Ballistic evidence found at the scene and outside the victim’s house links both locations to the crime.
A second person, suspected of exchanging gunfire with the shooter, has been arrested. However, any direct connection between this second individual and Carriker remains unclear. Despite using a police scanner in an attempt to elude capture, Carriker was quickly located and arrested by responding officers.
Video footage shows the shooter walking calmly down the street, firing at people before being pursued by the police. It is uncertain whether Carriker used the rifle or the handgun during the chase. The officers cornered and apprehended the suspect in an alley, recovering both firearms, several magazines, and a police scanner.
The motive behind the shooting remains unknown. Authorities are investigating any potential connections between the victims and the suspect. The injured children, who sustained gunshot wounds to their legs, are in stable condition. A 33-year-old woman and a two-year-old boy also suffered injuries from shattered glass.
Mayor Jim Kenney expressed condolences and offered prayers to the victims’ families. The police continue to investigate the incident to determine the underlying reasons behind the tragedy.