PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police have suspects in custody for the fatal shootings of a 64-year-old man on a SEPTA platform on Saturday and a Department of Parks and Recreation worker at a West Philadelphia rec center on Friday. They were just two of several fatal shootings over the weekend.
“I want to start by saying the outrageous number of violent incidents over the weekend across our city is simply unacceptable,” Mayor Jim Kenney said Monday before making an impassioned plea for witnesses to come forward to help police solve major crimes.
“Please, we need your information. We need your help. We want to do the job. We’re taking 6,000 guns off the street this year, and our officers are working tirelessly in dangerous situations to keep people safe. This is a community problem — it’s not just a police or courts problem. We need information to take these bad guys off the street.”
Kenney and Commissioner Danielle Outlaw joined the district attorney Monday at his weekly briefing — all three urging anyone with information about violent crime to call police. The police can’t do the job alone, they said, though Outlaw pledged they would do everything in their power to keep residents safe.
“We will not be deterred, we will not be intimidated and we will not be driven to live our lives in fear,” she said.
Police say around 2:15 p.m. Saturday at underground eastbound trolley platform at 19th and Market streets, a 64-year-old man was shot for unknown reasons in the head, shoulder, hand and back. The man was taken to Jefferson Hospital where he was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later, according to authorities.
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Police released surveillance photos of the suspect, and they now have someone in custody. They have not identified him or the victim.
The weekend's fatalities also include a 17-year-old girl walking a dog with friends in Frankford and a 37-year-old SEPTA engineer in Germantown who police believe was targeted in a case of mistaken identity.
That is in addition to the Friday shooting death of Department of Parks and Recreation employee Tiffany Fletcher, who was caught in a gun battle just outside Mill Creek Recreation Center, where she was working. Police say they now have a 14-year-old in custody, and they are searching for at least three other suspects.
The mayor said he understands the risks, for some city residents, of coming forward with details about the crimes. However, he said, calls can be made anonymously.
“I know it’s difficult. I know it’s scary. I know these guys are heartless and cold and cruel,” said the mayor, “but I’m telling you, if we don’t get this information, we can’t move forward.”
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To submit a tip via telephone or text message: 215-686-TIPS. To submit a tip via email, including a photo or video, send to tips@phillypolice.com.
The city offers a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case of a homicide and a $10,000 reward for information about shootings near schools, recreation centers and libraries.