PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Two men were killed and another was injured in a triple shooting on New Year’s Day in Northeast Philadelphia.
It happened on the 7100 block of Oakland Street, where evidence markers were scattered across lawns, sidewalks and the street.
According to sources, the violence began with an argument among people who knew one another, and a stepdaughter of one of the victims was “knocked out” before the gunfire.
Sources also said multiple people were involved beyond the three shooting victims and that police have individuals in custody.
The gunfire erupted shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday, and neighbors described a chaotic scene. Bullets struck a parked car and even entered a nearby living room while someone was inside.
“We heard what initially sounded like fireworks, and then realized it was gunshots, and we heard a bunch of screaming to get help, somebody call 911,” said Amy Smith, who lives nearby. “And I looked out my window and it was just extreme chaos.”
Smith said she heard loud arguing before the shots. When she went outside, she found her longtime neighbor lying on the ground.
“He wasn’t moving. His stepdaughter was standing over him, screaming and his wife was screaming,” she said.
Smith said she then saw a black Chrysler speeding away.
Police said a private vehicle dropped off two gunshot victims from the incident at Temple University Hospital, where one of them died. Another man was taken to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital and later died there.
Family members identified the victim taken to Jefferson Torresdale as Luis Colon.
Neighbor Paul Cuikla said he heard “about eight gunshots somewhere around 11:05 and then screaming afterwards,” prompting him to walk outside to see if he could help. “There was nothing I could do,” he said
The killings mark Philadelphia’s first two homicides of the year. Neighbors described the man who lived on the block as generous and well-liked.
“He’d go out of his way to help anybody,” Cuikla said.
Smith shared a recent example: “In fact two days ago he was outside helping me and my daughter got a car for Christmas and he was helping me out because she got her first flat.”
Authorities have possession of the vehicle that dropped off the two victims at Temple University Hospital.
Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting.
So far there is no word on whether anybody has been charged in the incident.
Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online.
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