A seemingly routine Thursday afternoon in Southwest Philadelphia was shattered by gunfire that left an innocent man wounded in his own home. At approximately 4:35 p.m. on the 6200 block of Wheeler Street, a 35-year-old man, later identified as Lloyd McPherson, was struck in the back of the head by a stray bullet while sitting on an enclosed porch, FOX 29 reported.
Despite the gravity of the situation, McPherson miraculously survived, found by officers to be conscious, and able to walk and talk despite bleeding from his injury according to Scott Small, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector. He was promptly transported to the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was reportedly stable. Small added, the bullet "went through his skin and exited," as NBC Philadelphia detailed in their coverage of the incident.
The shooting seems to have originated from an incident down the block where police discovered at least 16 spent shell casings from two different caliber semi-automatic weapons. This information suggests more than one shooter may have been involved. The projectiles traveled several hundred feet before one fateful errant bullet penetrated McPherson's window, according to NBC Philadelphia.
Alongside McPherson, two vehicles also fell victim to the shootout, sustaining damage from the hail of bullets. So far, no arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered. Authorities continue to investigate and urge those with information to come forward. Denise McPherson, Lloyd's mother recounted the harrowing moment to 6abc, "He got up saying he was shot. I'm like, 'How you shot, you're in the damn house? You ain't shot.' When he came in the living room, he fell on the floor and I looked and that's when I seen the blood."
The Philadelphia Police have requested the community's assistance with the ongoing case, calling on anyone with details to submit tips to the dedicated hotline, 215-686-TIPS.
