Police: 18-year-old fatally shot in West Philadelphia as city reports 300 homicides for the year
PHILADELPHIA - Homicide detectives with the Philadelphia Police Department are investigating after a teenager was shot and killed in West Philadelphia on Monday night, making it the 300th homicide in the city this year.
According to police, 18th District officers responded to numerous 911 calls for gunshots and a shooting at 52nd and Larchwood Streets just before 10 p.m.
Chief Inspector Scott Small says responding officers found an 18-year-old on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds to his head, chest and back.
Authorities say he was unresponsive and bleeding heavily.
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Officers rushed the 18-year-old to Presbyterian Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police say. He was later identified a Lameer Boyd.
"The world has lost a very bright, talented, funny, handsome, smart young man that can no longer live out his future because someone snubbed out his life," said Boyd's uncle, Jamahal C. Boyd Sr.
According to Small, at least 52 shots were fired from three guns on Monday night, including a rifle and a semi-automatic handgun. Boyd's uncle says he was shot 34 times, 17 in the head.
Authorities say they believe two shooters were standing close to the victim at the time of the shooting.
Investigators are still processing the crime scene and checking surveillance cameras in the area as part of the ongoing investigation.
"I don't want any evil to befall them," said Boyd Sr. "I pray that God will convict them, and they will turn themselves in and that justice will be served, so my family can be at peace."
The fatal shooting comes as the city reported 300 homicides for 2022 so far.
During the city's virtual update on gun violence on Tuesday, Mayor Kenney told FOX 29's Kelly Rule that he has not met with homicide victims' families this year.
"I’ve spoken to folks who were involved, some of the officers involved in shootings, but I have not spoken individually to people, sometimes the investigation is in the offing, and it’s difficult to interact with people when the investigations going on," the mayor said.
Since facing a lot of criticism after that statement, Kenney followed up with another comment hours later:
"Every act of gun violence is an unspeakable tragedy. The fact that our city has lost 300 souls to date this year is utterly devastating. As mayor, my number one priority is to keep people safe and protect our residents. The surge in gun violence that we’ve seen in our city—and across the entire country—is unacceptable and pains me to my core. My deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of all those affected by this senseless violence.
"It is our top priority to respond to the needs of victims of gun violence and their families. That is why we created the Office of Violence Prevention, helmed by Executive Director Shondell Revell, and the newer Office of the Victim Advocate, led by Victim Advocate Adara Combs to specifically provide supports and interventions to those directly and indirectly impacted by violence.
"The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) partners with the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network (PAAN) to support communities experiencing, or vulnerable to, gun violence through the Community Crisis Intervention Program (CCIP). In 2022, CCIP has connected with and provided resources and services to many individuals and families who were open to receiving them. Some of these families received weekly interactions and support from the CCIP team, and were connected with permanent housing support, transportation to schools, and food. CCIP also helps relocate individuals at risk of gun violence to environments where they would be safer.
"The Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA) works on behalf of victims and co-victims through partnerships with PPD homicide, the District Attorney’s Office, and the non-fatal shootings unit of PPD. The OVA has referred and followed up on numerous requests for emergency relocation in partnership with the Office of Violence Prevention and the Philadelphia Anti-Drug Anti-Violence Network, as mentioned above. The OVA also assisted multiple citizens with Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) related issues related to funeral reimbursement including communicating directly with funeral homes to ease the process as well as communicating with VCAP to advocate on their behalf. The OVA also connects victims and their families to community-based services to receive therapy and grief counseling, as well as works in partnership with the community based agencies to ensure that the City is meeting as many needs as possible.
"While I have been in touch and our administration continues to engage with some families of loved ones who were injured or killed by violence, the vast majority of the trauma and intervention supports are offered by various City departments because we know that violence prevention starts with prevention and ends in healing.
"Violence anywhere in Philadelphia will always be unacceptable, and the Police Department needs the community’s help to bring the people who are responsible for crimes to justice. I urge anyone with information about any crime to report it anonymously to 215-686-TIPS."