5 killed, 2 kids injured in Philadelphia shooting spree, police say

Editor's note (July 4, 2023, 2:57 p.m.): This story is no longer being updated. Click here for the latest developments on Tuesday.

A gunman wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with two weapons opened fire on the streets of Southwest Philadelphia Monday night, killing five people and wounding a toddler and teenager, police said. 

A police source with knowledge of the case said Tuesday that officials have apprehended a 40-year-old man named Kimbrady Carriker as the alleged shooter in this incident.

"We have absolutely no idea why this happened," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said during a late Monday night news conference. "This person decided to leave their home and target individuals."

On Tuesday officials identified those killed in this incident as four residents of the city's Kingsessing neighborhood -- along with a teen boy with no known address.

According to police, Lashyd Merritt, 20, died after he was shot multiple times in the chest and arm; Dymir Stanton, 29, died after he was shot in the chest and back; 59-year-old Ralph Morales died after he was shot in the head, side, and buttocks, and Joseph Wamah, Jr., 31, died after he was shot multiple times.

Also, 15-year-old DaJuan Brown died after he was shot in the shoulder, chest, and back, police said.

The shooting spree began around 8:30 p.m. on 56th and Chester streets in the Kingsessing neighborhood when officers were flagged down in response to reports of gunfire in the area. 

Police found multiple gunshot victims, and as they were preparing to take them to the hospital, they heard more gunshots nearby on 56th Street and Kingsessing Avenue, according to investigators. The officers found multiple shell casings at that location before hearing even more gunshots nearby along the 1800 block of Frazier Street.

Officers spotted the suspected gunman -- now believed to be Carriker -- and a chase ensued, police said. During the chase, Carriker allegedly fired multiple shots before police cornered him in an alley along the 1600 block of Frazier Street where he surrendered, according to investigators. 

Police took Carriker into custody without further incident. Investigators said he was wearing a bulletproof vest with multiple magazines inside of it. He was also in possession of a scanner, an AR-style rifle and a handgun, according to Commissioner Outlaw. 

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Police also said a second person who apparently picked up a gun and fired at the shooter was also taken into custody, but officials did not know whether there was a connection between the two people. Three weapons in all were recovered in connection to the shooting. 

Police said, along with the five people killed in the shooting, a 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy were injured.

Both the toddler and teenager were listed in stable condition. 

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small later said a man reported finding his 31-year-old son dead inside a nearby home. Police believe the man's death was related to the other killings because shell casings found in the house matched ballistics of the earlier shootings.

The shooting scene spanned multiple blocks. 

“It’s pretty much a two-by-four block radius and it consists of approximately 50 spent shell casings,” Outlaw said. “Also several vehicles were struck by gunfire.” 

Investigators didn't immediately reveal a motive in the shooting and don’t know if the suspect was connected to any of the victims. 

"At this point we don't see a connection between any of the victims and the shooter," Outlaw said Monday night.

“As you can see there are several scenes out here,” Outlaw said. “We’re canvassing the area to get as much as we can. To identify witnesses. To identify where cameras are located. And do everything we can to figure out the 'why' behind this happening.” 

The violence marks the country’s 29th mass killing in 2023, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. That's the highest on record.

Outlaw praised her police force for preventing further loss of life: "We mourn the loss of 5 innocent lives and stand w/ those impacted during this tragic time," she tweeted Tuesday. "Our deepest condolences go out to them. I want to commend our brave @PPD12Dist officers who responded swiftly to this horrific shooting. Their courage, dedication, & restraint saved lives."

Entering Tuesday, Philadelphia had reported 212 homicides so far in 2023, according to police data. That's down about 19% from the same time the previous year, which was one of the deadliest on record in Philadelphia.

Children have made up about 11% of the nearly 930 shooting victims so far this year in Philadelphia, according to data released by the City Controller's Office, which was last updated Sunday.

Editor's Note (July 6, 2023): Some of the victims' names have been updated upon authorities changing the spelling as more information was revealed.