A potentially homeless man was hospitalized earlier today after being shot by a homeowner in South Philadelphia. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on the 1000 block of South 18th Street. The 32-year-old man was reportedly going through a homeowner's trash when he was shot twice by the 23-year-old resident following a confrontation. According to 6abc, the victim, believed to be homeless, was assisted by neighbors until he was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
The situation apparently escalated from a verbal argument to a physical fight which then led to the resident pulling a gun. At least four shots were fired, striking the man in the lower back and leg. A witness on the scene used a power cord to create an improvised tourniquet to stem the bleeding, a detail confirmed by both FOX 29 and NBC Philadelphia. The resident remained on site and was taken in for questioning, but no arrests or charges have been immediately reported.
Investigators collected evidence suggesting that one shot was to have been fired from inside the home and three additional shots along the sidewalk. Police Chief Inspector Scott Small described to NBC Philadelphia, "This shooting was motivated due to the 32-year-old shooting victim (going) through the trash and that's when the 23-year-old resident of the property confronted the 32-year-old. There was a verbal argument and it led to a physical altercation."
The shooter, who stayed to cooperate with law enforcement, was found to have legally owned the gun used in the incident. Detectives are hoping to further understand the circumstances leading to the shooting through witness accounts and surveillance video from the area. While the police have not yet filed charges, the investigation continues. Community members impacted by this incident and other acts of gun violence can find additional resources as provided by local Philadelphia platforms.
