Philadelphia

Man killed in North Philly shooting, Central High placed on brief ‘soft lockdown'

Police identified the victim as 37-year-old Desmond Edwards

NBC Universal, Inc.

Editor's Note: This story is no longer being updated. For the latest on the investigation and to hear from victim's family click here.

A man was killed and a high school was placed on lockdown following a shooting that led to a crash in North Philadelphia late Thursday morning, police said.

Desmond Edwards, 37, was inside a Lexus SUV that was traveling along the 5000 block of Ogontz Avenue on Thursday at 11:17 a.m. when shots were fired.

Edwards was shot in the head and the vehicle crashed into a corner store, police said. Edwards was taken by responding police officers to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:27 a.m.

No arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered.

The nearby Central High School on 1700 West Olney Avenue was placed on a "soft lockdown," due to the shooting.

“A soft lockdown means that all members of our school community remain inside the school building with no students, faculty, or visitors entering or exiting,” Central High School President Katharine Davis wrote in a letter to the school’s community. “Open campus is currently suspended. Classes and other normal activity continue as planned within the building during this time. I will lift the soft lockdown once our school is cleared by the Philadelphia Police Department 35th District.”

That lockdown was lifted by 12:20 p.m., according to communications with school parents.

There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

Contact Us