A shooting rampage in Philadelphia on Monday night has left five people dead and two children injured. The incident began when police were flagged down at the intersection of 56th and Chester streets, according to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. As officers were preparing to transport gunshot victims to the hospital, they heard more gunshots in the area. Responding officers found multiple shell casings and continued to hear gunfire as they pursued the gunman. Eventually, they cornered him in a back alley on Frazer Street and took him into custody. The suspect was found wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with an AR-style rifle and a handgun.
During the pursuit, the suspect, who was wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with an AR-style rifle and a handgun, continued to fire at officers. Eventually, the police cornered him in a back alley on the 1600 block of Frazer Street and successfully took him into custody. Outlaw also mentioned that the suspect had a scanner with him at the time of his arrest.
Several hours later, officers were approached by a man who informed them that he had found his son lying unresponsive on his living room floor. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered gunshots to the face and torso. Police discovered several rifle rounds inside and outside the home.
The victims of the shooting are reported to be five men between the ages of 20 and 59. The two injured children, aged 2 and 13, are currently in stable condition. Additionally, another individual who may have fired back at the gunman during the shooting spree has been taken into custody.
Commissioner Outlaw expressed her bewilderment regarding the motive behind the incident, stating that the police have no information as to why the suspect targeted these individuals. She commended the bravery and courage displayed by the responding officers in apprehending the gunman without any further incident.