2 charged in Philly street shootout that left elderly woman injured
PHILADELPHIA - Prosecutors in Philadelphia have charged two men who they believe were involved in a street shootout that injured an elderly woman last July.
Salvatore Branco and Rhett Mazza are accused of the brazen shooting that erupted July 25 on the 1300 block of Porter Street in South Philadelphia.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said a 72-year-old woman was hit in the stomach during the shootout and a dog was fatally shot in the head.
"Both defendants opened fire in broad daylight with zero care of regard for the safety of people in the area," Krasner told reporters Tuesday.
Investigators say 20 shots were fired during the "dangerous, reckless, wildly irresponsible" street shooting.
The charges, according to prosecutors, stemmed from a straw purchase investigation that started when three guns bought by Branco turned up at crime scenes.
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Woman, 72, shot on South Philadelphia street: police
A crime scene unfolds in South Philadelphia after a 72-year-old woman was shot.
"No Philadelphia resident should have to experience the trauma and fear of being a victim of crime of this kind of a shooting occurring, of illegal straw purchasing activity which feeds violent incidents such as this," Krasner stated.
One gun, investigators said, was recovered from inside a home where five other firearms were found – including one that was linked to a homicide.
Another of Branco's allegedly purchased firearms turned up at the scene of an aggravated assault, and another was recovered during a drug investigation.
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Investigators said Branco did not report any of the recovered firearms stolen, and at least eight guns are still unaccounted for.
Branco is facing several charges related to straw purchasing.
While homicides are down nearly 40 percent in the city from 2023, police say illegal firearms continue to flow like the 11 guns Branco is accused of putting on the streets.
Philadelphia Police Captain James Kearney, with the Investigation Unit, said, "What guns are we seeing out there? We’re seeing lots of guns from all different places, taken from cars, straw purchases, burglaries. You name it, we’ve seen it."
Prosecutors said both Branco and Mazza were each charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime, and weapons charges.