Philadelphia

Man shot, killed in West Philadelphia, police say

A man was shot and killed along the 1600 block of North 56th Street in West Philadelphia on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, police said

A man was shot and killed in West Philadelphia, police said.

On Friday, at 1:42 p.m., police responded to a report of a person with a weapon on the 1600 block of North 56th Street. When they arrived, they found a 35-year-old man who was suffering from gunshot wounds to the thigh and abdomen. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:29 p.m.

Police recovered a weapon though no arrests have been made.

In an update on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, officials identified the slain man as Matthew Gethers of West Philly. Officials also said they recovered shell casings from two separate weapons -- five shell casings from a .45 caliber weapon and one shell casing from a .40 caliber firearm, they said.

Officials also noted they still have not determined a motive in this incident.

The Philadelphia Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Homicide Detectives at 215-686-3334.

Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling or texting our PPD’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

With the year nearly at an end, there have been 255 reported homicides in Philadelphia in 2024, the lowest year-to-date amount in the city since 2014, according to police data.

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

Contact Us