17-year-old shot to death while leaving for school with mom in Philadelphia: police

A Philadelphia high school student was gunned down Tuesday morning while leaving for school with his mother, sources tell FOX 29 News.

Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 5000 block of Rorer Street around 7 a.m. for reports of a shooting.

A 17-year-old boy, later identified by officials as Noah Scurry, was found suffering from "multiple gunshot wounds" and taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

No arrests were immediately reported and police did not provide a description of the suspected shooter.

Anyone with information on the deadly shooting is asked to contact Philadelphia police.

What we know:

Sources tell FOX 29's Kelly Rule that the Samuel Fels High School student was preparing to leave for school with his mom when he was shot to death.

"It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the passing of one of our students whose life was tragically taken this morning," Principal Melissa Rasper wrote.

At least 20 shots were fired in what police say was a targeted attack. 

A backpack could be seen in the middle of the crime scene, surrounded by shell casings.

Scurry’s mom, who was not ready to talk on camera, was surrounded by loved ones Tuesday, including the Fels men’s basketball coach and other staff from the school.

The principal at Samuel Fels High School says Scurry played on the basketball team and had the highest SAT scores in the school community.

The school has canceled all boys' basketball games for the remainder of the week.

What we don't know:

Police previously reported that a gun was found at the scene, but later issued a correction that no weapon was recovered.

They have not released any suspect(s) descriptions, or a potential motive.

What they're saying:

"This teenager that was killed was exceptional," said Monique Braxton, spokesperson for the School District of Philadelphia. "No problems from him whatsoever according to the principal and other staff members, as you can imagine, they are distraught."

Students say they could feel the impact and loss the entire day.

"I just saw him yesterday too, it’s crazy to think about," says Mohamed Elfaki, a sophomore at Samuel Fels High School. "Whenever he entered the room, the room always lit, there was always a smile on someone’s face when they’re around him. He had a whole future ahead of him too, it’s scary to think about."

Community Impact:

Samuel Fels High School has made counseling and support services available to help students and staff navigate the tragedy. 

"Death is rarely something that is easy to accept, especially when it involves a young person, a classmate, and particularly during these times as our city grapples with heightened gun violence," Rasper wrote in a letter to students.

The School District of Philadelphia is also providing grief counseling resources, including mental health professionals, to further aid the grieving school community.

Editor's note: Philadelphia police previously reported that a weapon was found at the scene of the shooting. They later issued a correction that no weapon was recovered.

Crime & Public SafetyPhiladelphiaNews