A horrific shooting incident unfolded in southwest Philadelphia's Kingsessing neighborhood on Monday evening, claiming the lives of five individuals and leaving two children injured. A 40-year-old male suspect is in custody, apprehended without incident while wearing a ballistic vest and carrying an "AR-type rifle," a handgun, multiple magazines, and a police scanner.
The violence erupted around 8:30 p.m., leaving a trail of devastation. The deceased victims, all male, ranged in age from 20 to 59. They have been identified as Lashyd Merritt (20), Dymir Stanton (29), Ralph Moralis (59), Daujan Brown (15), and Joseph Wamah, Jr. (31). The fifth victim was discovered inside a home hours after the initial attack.
Among the injured are a 2-year-old and a 13-year-old, both suffering multiple gunshot wounds to their legs. Two additional individuals, another 2-year-old and a 33-year-old, were injured by shattered glass. All survivors are currently receiving medical treatment for serious injuries.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw commended the responding officers for their bravery and restraint in apprehending the suspect. Officers pursued the shooter as he continued firing, eventually cornering and arresting him in an alley on Frazer Street without returning fire.
The incident began near South 56th Street and Chester Avenue, but the suspect fled into the surrounding streets before being apprehended approximately 10 minutes later. A second individual, believed to have potentially returned fire at the suspect, is also in custody.
Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the tragic event, with Commissioner Outlaw stating that there is no clear understanding of why the suspect targeted these individuals. The investigation is ongoing.
