Philadelphia police have gone public with the name of the man they say opened fire on a Southwest Philly block packed with people on Independence Day, killing one person and injuring eight others in a drive-by shooting that turned a holiday gathering into chaos.
Police Release Suspect Name
Investigators on Wednesday identified 19-year-old Naseem Sills as a suspect in the July 4, 2024 mass shooting and released multiple photos of him as part of a fresh push for tips, according to 6abc. Police say a total of nine people - three juveniles and six adults - were shot around 11:30 p.m. during what they describe as an outdoor "pop-up" gathering in the Kingsessing section of the city.
Scene And Investigation
The shooting unfolded on the 1900 block of South Salford Street, where detectives later found roughly 20 shell casings, including 17 believed to be 9mm, CBS Philadelphia reported. Police say an SUV rolled up to the crowd and a passenger began firing into the group, hitting victims mainly in the legs and shoulder. One person was shot in the head and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Victim And Community Reaction
Family and friends identified the man killed as 19-year-old Maurice White, a Bartram High student who was just days away from graduation. Some law-enforcement sources initially used the surname Quann in early coverage, The Philadelphia Inquirer noted. Officials described the July 4 gathering as a roving pop-up party that officers tried to break up several times before people regrouped in Kingsessing.
How To Help
Police are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or 215-686-3335, or to submit a tip online. Tips can be submitted anonymously, Patch reported. Authorities are also warning residents not to approach Sills if they see him and to call 911 immediately instead.
Legal Status
According to police, Sills is wanted on homicide charges in connection with the case, and there is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest and conviction, CBS Philadelphia reported. Investigators say anyone who recognizes Sills from the released photos or knows where he might be should contact the Homicide Unit rather than trying to confront him themselves.
