A 19-year-old man died after two suspects opened fire as he tried to get into an Uber early Wednesday in Overbrook, police said. The driver escaped unharmed and later alerted officers. Police said more than 40 rounds were fired.
Gunfire Erupts on Wynnewood Road
Officers responded around 2:30 a.m. to the 800 block of Wynnewood Road after reports of a person shot, according to CBS News. They found the teenager with multiple gunshot wounds and took him to Lankenau Hospital, where he died after doctors tried to save him. Chief Inspector Scott Small said the victim had been with friends before leaving to get into the Uber.
Small said two suspects approached the vehicle and fired as the young man was getting inside. The teenager, the Uber and several unattended parked cars were struck. More than 40 shots were fired, according to CBS Philadelphia.
Driver Flees and Alerts Police
The Uber driver was unharmed and drove away from the shooting. He went to 52nd Street and Lancaster Avenue and alerted police, CBS Philadelphia reported. Investigators have not said whether he saw the suspects or fled after the shooting began.
Police found a backpack beside the victim containing a semiautomatic handgun, CBS Philadelphia reported. Investigators have not determined who the gun belonged to.
Investigators Turn to Nearby Cameras
Police found private surveillance cameras in the area and plan to review footage as they try to identify the two suspects. No arrests had been announced by Wednesday, and police had not confirmed a motive. Anyone with information is asked to contact the homicide unit at 215-686-3334.
What Citywide Data Shows
The available citywide figures do not establish whether shooting victim totals have risen or fallen in recent years. The Philadelphia DAO's 100 Shooting Review reported that 6,910 of the 9,042 shooting victims in Philadelphia between 2015 and 2020 had not been cleared, according to the PhilaDAO Data Dashboard. That historical tally offers context on unresolved cases, but does not establish a recent annual trend or connect this investigation to those cases.
Investigators have not announced arrests or a motive. They are reviewing nearby camera footage and seeking information about the attack.
