2023 Kingsessing, Philadelphia Shooting

On July 2–3, 2023, a shooting spree occurred in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Five people were killed and four people were injured. The police apprehended the shooter without incident.

Shooting

The first victim, Joseph Wamah Jr., was killed around 12:30 a.m. EDT on July 2, 2023. The subsequent victims were killed around 8:30 p.m. on July 3, 2023. The shooter, wearing body armor and armed with an AR-15–style rifle and a pistol, opened fire in southwest Kingsessing. He shot randomly at people and occupied cars, killing four more people and wounding four others, two of whom were wounded by gunfire, and two of whom were wounded by shattered glass. Police officers were flagged down and rendered first aid to victims until hearing more gunshots. The accused was then taken into custody.

At some point during the shooting, the brother of one of the victims returned fire in the direction of the shooter. He was temporarily taken into custody, but later released without charges.

Victims

Those killed were Dajuan Brown, 15; Lashyd Merritt, 20; Ralph Moralis, 59, Dymir Stanton, 29; and Joseph Wamah Jr., 31.

Accused

Kimbrady Carriker, age 40, of Philadelphia, was charged with five counts of murder and six other counts. He was denied bail. It was reported that he made violent and disturbing posts on social media. On a now-deleted Facebook profile, Carriker posted about "evil spirits" and stated that he went on "patrols" in his neighborhood to fight crime. According to two law enforcement officers, Carriker told police that he carried out the incident to "clean up the neighborhood". The prosecution revealed that a will dated June 23 was found in Carriker's house, but have not disclosed further details. People who knew Carriker said he was acting "agitated" in the days before the shooting, and was wearing a bulletproof vest around his house. He was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2005, preventing him from possessing firearms. On August 29, 2023, a judge ruled that Carriker was not able to stand trial due to his mental health. On March 19, 2024, the Philadelphia District Attorney's office said that Carriker was deemed competent for trial.

Investigation

Both the AR-15 –style rifle and 9mm handgun in the possession of the accused were privately made firearms, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. The firearms did not have any manufacturer's markings.

The city of Philadelphia filed a lawsuit on July 5 against two firearm component suppliers, Polymer80 and JSD Supply, which are among the largest suppliers of such parts in the city.

Reactions

Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney expressed outrage over the shooting, saying "This country needs to reexamine its conscience and find out how to get guns out of dangerous people's hands."

References

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2023 in Philadelphia
2023 mass shootings in the United States
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Deaths by firearm in Pennsylvania
July 2023 crimes in the United States
Kingsessing, Philadelphia
Mass shootings in Pennsylvania
Deaths by homemade firearm
Mass shootings involving AR-15–style rifles
Mass murder in Pennsylvania
2023 murders in the United States
Spree shootings in the United States
2020s crimes in Pennsylvania
Mass murder in the United States in the 2020s
Mass murder in 2023