PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the July 7 Grays Ferry mass shooting that killed three people and wounded 10 others. Investigators said the fatal shots were fired at random, seemingly for no reason at all.
Gunfire erupted on July 7 along South Etting Street, killing 19-year-old Jason Reese, 23-year-old Zahir Wylie, and 24-year-old Azir Harris. Nine other victims, ranging in age from 15 to 24, were shot, and another was injured at the scene.
Police on Wednesday served a search warrant in West Philadelphia for one of the suspects, 22-year-old Terrell Frazier. He was arrested and will be charged with homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault and other offenses.
At a news conference on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said there was talk on social media the night before the shooting about gathering on Etting Street for a birthday party. About 100 to 200 people from all different parts of the city descended on the block later that evening, and police were called to disperse the crowd.
Vanore said some partygoers were acting recklessly.
“There were some individuals who continued to act recklessly,” he said. “They jumped on police cars and there were two people who were arrested for assault on police.”
One of those people jumping on cars was Frazier, police said.
The gathering continued on Etting Street for a second night, with about the same number of people. Around 1 a.m., Vanore said one person fired a gun, possibly into the air, prompting possibly a dozen others to fire their guns multiple times.
Surveillance video shows chaotic scene
Investigators said the shooting was not sparked by an argument, social media beef, or some sort of turf war. Vanore said it was random.
“We believe that one individual who was amongst their group fired a gun … in the air. That caused about a dozen other people with firearms to then begin recklessly and really intentionally firing their firearms,” he said. “We don’t have an argument, we don’t have an opposing party. They are just firing a gun indiscriminately.”
• Police release videos of suspects
• Police release photos of suspects
After a month-long investigation, police determined 13 different guns were used in the shooting. Investigators also recovered more than 140 pieces of ballistic evidence from the scene.
Frazier has a criminal history, including a gun conviction from last year, which ended in a negotiated plea with prosecutors.
“This arrest is not the end of this investigation,” Vanore assured. Police are actively investigating and working on additional arrest warrants, but still need the public’s help in identifying them.
Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide division at 215-686-3334 or 215-686-3335, send an email to tips@phillypolice.com, or submit a tip anonymously online. Tips can also be submitted by calling or texting 215-686-8477.