PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police are investigating several shootings, including two homicides, that happened across the city over the weekend.
Officials said a 43-year-old man, later identified as Calton Brown, was fatally shot in the head around 3:20 a.m. Sunday in Northeast Philadelphia. Officers found the victim in the middle of Kerper Street, between Loretto and Castor avenues, with a single gunshot wound to the head.
Authorities have not yet identified the man. No arrests were made and no weapons were recovered.
In a separate incident, police said a man, identified as 23-year-old William Shirley, was shot and killed near 52nd and Market streets in West Philadelphia around 8 p.m. Saturday. Officers arrived at the scene and found the man with multiple gunshot wounds. They took him to the hospital, where he died.
Police say further investigation revealed that a dark-colored midsized SUV stopped near where Shirley was standing on the sidewalk. Someone inside then got out, “produced a rifle,” and shot him multiple times “close in range” before fleeing the scene.
Weapons were recovered. No arrests were made.
A motive is not known but police believe Shirley was targeted.
Police say the suspect was last seen in a mask, black jacket or sweatshirt, dark pants, blue gloves, and white and black sneakers.
Police are investigating several other non-fatal shootings in Tacony, Nicetown, and West Philadelphia, as well as a crash that killed a pedestrian in Francisville.
The pedestrian, identified as 20-year-old Visva Varathakumar, was crossing Broad Street Saturday afternoon when he was hit.