PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia journalist, activist and former Kenney administration spokesperson was shot and killed in his Point Breeze home overnight.
Josh Kruger, 39, was shot seven times inside his home at 23rd and Watkins streets around 1:30 a.m. He collapsed in the street after seeking help, police said.
He was taken to the hospital, where he died around 2:15 a.m.
Police believe the door to his home was unlocked or the shooter knew how to get in, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Authorities have not spoken publicly about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kruger was a longtime journalist in Philadelphia and an advocate for the LGBTQ and homeless communities. He served as the spokesperson for the city’s Office of Homeless Services from about 2016 to 2021.
“We are shocked and saddened by Josh’s death,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement. “Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing. His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did — and his light was dimmed much too soon. We were exceedingly fortunate to call him a colleague and our prayers are with everyone who knew and loved him.”
He left city government to focus on writing projects for news outlets and progressive causes. He wrote at various times for Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia City Paper, The Philadelphia Inquirer and other publications, earning awards for his poignant and often humorous style.
On his website, he described himself as a “militant bicyclist” and “a proponent of the singular they, the Oxford comma, and pre-Elon Twitter.”
In a statement, District Attorney Larry Krasner praised Kruger’s contributions to the city.
“Josh Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities — particularly unhoused people living with addiction,” he said. “As an openly queer writer who wrote about his own journey surviving substance use disorder and homelessness, it was encouraging to see Josh join the Kenney administration as a spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services. Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story. As with all homicides, we will be in close contact with the Philadelphia Police as they work to identify the person or persons responsible so that they can be held to account in a court of law. I extend my deepest condolences to Josh’s loved ones and to all those mourning this loss.”
No arrests have been made in the shooting death. Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.