At Least 3 Dead, 4 Hurt in 5 Separate Shootings in Philly in a Matter of Hours

A man has been charged with attempted murder in a road rage shooting involving two licensed gun owners on Monday afternoon, authorities say. The shooting was part of a violent afternoon and night in Philadelphia.

At least three people were killed while four others were hurt in five separate shootings across the city as many neighbors and children celebrated Halloween.

The first shooting occurred at about 4 p.m. along the 6400 block of Dickens Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. A man was shot six times in the abdomen by 27-year-old Phan Tran, who allegedly caused a car crash and then an argument leading to gunfire, authorities said.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's office said Tuesday that Tran was arrested and charged with attempted murder and related offenses for the shooting.

"Tran is alleged to have caused a crash in which he collided with another vehicle carrying two women and a 5-year-old child," according to Jane Roh, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Larry Krasner.

Both drivers got out of their vehicles and started arguing, according to the DA's office. A bystander tried to intervene and "came into physical contact" with Tran, who then allegedly fired at the unnamed bystander, striking him multiple times, Roh said. The man in his 30s was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in critical condition, according to police.

"The passenger in the other vehicle, also a licensed gun owner, retrieved her firearm and fired a single shot at the defendant, who was not struck," the release states. Police said both weapons were recovered.

Tran is a licensed gun owner with no prior arrests, Roh said. Attorney information for him was not immediately available.

A second shooting occurred blocks away on the 2500 block of Carroll Street around 5:45 p.m. A 47-year-old man – who was a contracted worker from outside of Philadelphia – was helping Shelia Richardson move items from her home, Philadelphia police initially said. That man got into some sort of argument with an unidentified suspect.

As they argued, the suspect pulled out a gun and opened fire before fleeing the scene, police said. The worker was shot once in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Police have not revealed the victim’s identity or a description of the gunman. They told NBC10 two other workers were also helping to move items when the shooting occurred. 

“What’s going through my mind is, 'I’m glad I’m moving.' And that’s why I've got to keep going. So I can get out of here,” Richardson told NBC10. 

A third shooting occurred around the same time in front of a corner store on 53rd Street and Greenway Avenue. A 20-year-old man was standing in front of the store when three gunmen opened fire. The man was shot nine times and taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. Police said the man was targeted by the gunmen. At least one person was arrested in connection to the shooting and a weapon was recovered.

In North Philadelphia, a 27-year-old man, 26-year-old man and 22-year-old woman were on the 200 block of West Ontario Street at 8:15 p.m. when a gunman opened fire.

The 27-year-old man was shot multiple times and taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:45 p.m. The 26-year-old man was shot five times and taken to Temple University Hospital where he was initially in extremely critical condition, but died a short time later. The 22-year-old woman was shot five times in the lower body. She was taken to Temple University Hospital in critical but stable condition.

Finally, a man in his 40s was shot in the ankle around 8:48 p.m. on the 500 block of East Loudon Street in Feltonville. Police rushed him to the hospital in stable condition.

No arrests have been made in any of the shootings and police have not released information on any suspects.

As of the end of Monday, there were at least 445 homicides in Philadelphia in 2022, down about 3% from the same time last year, which was ultimately the deadliest in the city on record.