PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in Nicetown-Tioga Tuesday morning while he was walking to school, according to police.
Around 7:30 a.m. near 16th Street and Hunting Park Avenue, police said the Simon Gratz High School Mastery Charter sophomore was jumped by a group of at least three males, who were wearing ski masks and dressed in all black.
Witnesses said the victim was involved in a fight or physical altercation with the other young men when he was shot in the chest. The group ran from the scene north on 16th Street.
“At some point, one of them produced a handgun and shot him at least one time in the chest,” said Sgt. Eric Gripp.
Police believe robbery was the motive.
The boy was taken to the hospital, where he died shortly thereafter.
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“I want to ask all three of them, why did you kill my son? Why?” exclaimed Gary Weedon, the father of the slain teen.
He told NBC10 that his son, Devin, was a good kid who never got into trouble. “He [would] come home, he goes in his room, he plays [on his] computer, he plays games.”
The boy’s teachers agreed. He was a good student and a player on the football team.
“You didn’t just mess my family up,” Weedon shouted. “You hurt your family.”
In a statement, Mastery Charter said:
“This morning, a Mastery student from Simon Gratz High School was a fatal victim in a shooting, blocks away from our school. The student has been identified and their family has been informed. Mastery offers our deepest condolences to the student’s family and loved ones and will respect their privacy. We share in their loss and are devasted by the frequency with which gun violence is impacting our city and our community. We stand ready to support our Mastery students and staff during this tragedy.”
School officials dismissed both the high school and middle school early on Tuesday. All classes were canceled Wednesday. Counseling will be provided if needed.
“This speaks to the level of gun violence in our city,” Gripp added. “Our children should be safe. Everyone should be safe.”
Investigators are still looking for the three suspects. Police are offering a $30,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction in this shooting. That’s $10,000 more than the usual reward for a homicide because this one happened in a school zone.
Anyone with any information is asked to call 911.
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