UPDATE: Sept. 8, 10:45 a.m.
Police identified the victim as Masir Williams. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Senaaj Jackson, remains at large. There is a warrant for his arrest. Jackson is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the homicide unit at 215-686-3334. There is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Original story follows:
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia Streets Department worker was fatally shot during a stop in a South Philadelphia corner store Thursday morning.
Around 8:45 a.m., at 23rd and Oakford streets in Point Breeze, police say the 21-year-old employee had just arrived at the job with two coworkers, and they entered a corner store to purchase some items. At some point inside, a fight broke out between the city worker and another person.
The worker was struck by gunfire — once in the lower back and once in the arm. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died.
“At some point during this physical altercation, a gun is produced,” said Sgt. Eric Gripp. “A Streets Department employee is shot during this altercation. The shooter then runs out of the store, and we’re currently looking for him at this time.”
Gripp said the shooter continued to fire as he ran away.
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Investigators are on the scene interviewing witnesses. They say there was only one shooter, but two others were seen running away with the suspect.
Gripp called the act of violence “disgusting,” as the victim was just on his way to work.
“You’ll hear that [Philadelphia] shooting numbers are down, our homicide numbers are down, and that is true,” he added. “But still, we are not anywhere close to where we need to be. Things like this should not be happening.”