A 45-year-old man was found shot to death in the driver’s seat of an SUV in a Juniata Park back alley early Thursday, and police say whoever killed him then tried to set the vehicle on fire. The SUV was discovered behind rowhomes on the 4300 block of Malta Street, and surveillance footage later showed two people sprinting away from the scene. The victim’s wife contacted police after he failed to show up to pick her up from work.
Officers were called to the alley just after 12:30 a.m., where investigators spotted burn marks on the back seat that they believe came from an attempt to ignite the SUV, according to CBS Philadelphia. Capt. Timothy Stephan told the outlet that detectives canvassed neighbors and interviewed a witness who believed they heard a single gunshot the night before. Police say the victim, who had a gunshot wound to the back of the head, has not yet been publicly identified and no arrests have been made.
Surveillance shows two people fleeing
As reported by 6abc/Action News, surveillance video reviewed by investigators appears to show two suspects getting out of the SUV and running from the alley. Detectives say the victim was not from the neighborhood and are still working to learn why he was on the 4300 block of Malta Street when he was killed. According to police, the victim’s wife tracked his location to that block before officers arrived.
Investigation remains active
CBS Philadelphia reports the man had survived a separate shooting on March 31, and investigators are now examining whether that earlier attack is connected to his killing. Detectives continue to canvass the area and are urging anyone with information to contact Philadelphia police. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released any suspect descriptions or possible motives.
