An 88-year-old veteran and retired SEPTA driver was sitting in his car on Tuesday afternoon before he was shot to death in West Philadelphia. His family and friends are shattered by the horrific event. NBC10’s Aaron Baskerville spoke with his family and neighbors.
Loved ones are mourning an elderly Air Force veteran who was shot and killed inside an SUV in West Philadelphia on Tuesday.
The victim, identified by family members as 88-year-old Richard Butler, was inside a white Hyundai Santa Fe on the 100 block of North Dewey Street at 1:35 p.m. when shots were fired. Butler was shot twice in the chest and tried to drive away until his vehicle came to rest on a sidewalk, knocking over a potted plant.
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Sources told NBC10 witnesses tried to use a tire iron to break into the vehicle and get Butler out shortly after the shooting.
He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:56 p.m.
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Butler’s family told NBC10 a car had been sitting near the intersection of Arch and Dewey streets for a while. Once Butler’s SUV came into the area, they say the gunman got out, ran up on the SUV and fired at least two shots.
“This is so sad, that something like this could happen. And we were just sitting eating dinner together last night, having a ball and talking," the victim's son, Orlando Butler, said.
Family members told NBC10 Butler was an Air Force veteran and retired SEPTA bus driver.
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"You know my father never bothered nobody," Orlando said. "He's just a retired military vet. He's been an outstanding citizen in the community. Took care of all the kids from the block. For this to happen to my father, this is truly a sad situation."
Butler's family said that during his younger days he was known for taking kids in the neighborhood to Atlantic City and Wildwood, showing them life outside of Philadelphia.
"This man did nothing to anyone and he gave to everyone," Minette Finn, Butler's great niece, said.
No weapons have been recovered and police have not released information on any suspects or a possible motive.
Police are currently searching for any surveillance video that may have captured the incident.
