A feud boiled over early Wednesday leaving Philadelphia Police looking for one 19-year-old as another teenager fought for his life after being shot while investigating a fire set outside his home.
The incident began shortly after midnight when a family living along Lebanon Avenue near 57th Street in the city’s Overbrook neighborhood came outside to investigate a folding chair on fire on their front porch.
“More than likely the incendiary device was thrown on the front porch that caused the fire and the victim then came out to investigate,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. “That’s when he was confronted by the shooter.”
The gunman – identified by witnesses as a 19-year-old who lives nearby – then opened fire at close range, striking the victim three times in the torso, said police.
Police rushed the man to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he underwent surgery in critical condition overnight.
Small said that investigators believe the arson was to get the attention of the two men and two women inside the home so that he could attack the teen. The victims tried to shut the door but the gunman continued to fire through the front door, leaving three bullet holes in the door.
Investigators didn’t identify the suspect as they continued to search for him Wednesday morning. [[379931631, C]]
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The shooting/arson was part of a violent night in the city as 41-year-old Angelo Walker was shot and killed along the 3100 block of Clifford Street in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.
