PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities say the killing of a recent Temple graduate in West Philadelphia this week was a completely unprovoked and possibly random attack, and not an attempted robbery as previously thought.
The entire shooting was captured on surveillance video. (WARNING: Graphic violence.)
At about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Everett Beauregard was heading home from a West Philadelphia subway stop, walking on the 400 block of North 35th Street.
In video released by police, a tall, thin young man dressed in all black is seen walking south, with his hand in his hoodie pocket, wearing a COVID-19 mask.
Police said that as Beauregard passes him, minding his business, the suspect turns and fires into his back.
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“Mr. Beauregard is struck one time in the base of his neck, severing his spinal cord,” said Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit Capt. Jason Smith.
“Mr. Beauregard is observed collapsing onto the sidewalk. The offender then begins to run, firing off one final shot at Mr. Beauregard as he lies helpless on the ground.”
Police say the suspect fired three shots in total before running north on 35th past Spring Garden Street.
“This was not a robbery attempt as we initially believed,” said Smith. “This wasn’t an argument between Mr. Beauregard and the offender. Not a word was spoken between the two.”
“It’s certainly frightening, and it’s someone we need to get off the street because we don’t know what provoked him,” Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore added.
“It almost looks like someone playing a video game, like he didn’t think much of it. And that’s truly frightening and horrific, really. That’s someone we don’t want with a firearm and we don’t want on the street.”
Beauregard had no prior arrests or convictions.
Smith said detectives are pulling video from both before and after the incident, and they have released a portion of the shooting to the public in hopes someone can help identify the suspect. (WARNING: Graphic violence.)
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Chief Inspector Scott Small said Thursday that one of the suspect’s bullets went through a window and landed in an off-campus apartment. He said he hopes that bullet can help the police investigation.
Philadelphia police say that if you have any information about the case, to call the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334 or 215-686-3335, e-mail tips@PhillyPolice.com or offer an anonymous tip by clicking onto the Philadelphia Police Department’s tips web page.
As always, there is a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in any homicide case.
Nina Baratti contributed to this report.
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