Police are searching for a motive and two suspects in the shooting of a 21-year-old man.
Two males approached a 21-year-old man on the 1500 block of South 24th Street early Tuesday and shot him in the left hip and leg, said police.
The victim, of the 2300 block of Tasker Street, was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania after the 12:30 a.m. incident. He was listed in guarded condition earlier this week, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detective Division.
Police are still searching for a motive in the shooting, said Biello.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Shot in the back
A 20-year-old man took a bullet in the back while sitting inside a green Acura Tuesday night, police said.
The victim was parked on the 1700 block of Annin Street when two males walked by and fired at him shortly after 10 p.m., said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
The victim was taken to Graduate Hospital, where he was listed in guarded condition earlier this week, added the sergeant.
Police continue to search for a motive and the shooters.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Man hurt in house fire
By filling a kerosene heater with gasoline, a man accidentally ignited a fire in his bathroom that quickly spread to the rest of his second-floor apartment at 910 S. Eighth St., said officials.
The 24-year-old was seriously injured in the Monday-morning mishap. He was taken to the burn unit at St. Agnes Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition with second- and third-degree burns over 47 percent of his body, said Executive Fire Chief William Brightcliffe.
Four fire companies — Engine 11, Engine 3, Engine 1 and Engine 10 — along with two ladder companies — Snorkel Five and Ladder 11 — as well as Battalion 1, Battalion 4 and Rescue 1 all responded to the scene at 1:43 a.m., said the chief. Firefighters extinguished the blaze at 1:57 a.m.
Fire marshals determined the cause to be misuse of a kerosene heater, said Brightcliffe.
The fire did not spread beyond the victim’s apartment into the other two units in the property.
A battery-operated smoke alarm inside the flaming unit alerted the other tenants, who made their escape from the three-story building by climbing onto the roof, where they were rescued, said Brightcliffe. An infant was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and treated for smoke inhalation, added the chief.
Smoke detector saves lives
A working smoke detector saved the life of a woman and her four children as their two-story rowhome burned down last Thursday morning, said officials.
According to Executive Fire Chief William Brightcliffe, the device in the second-floor hallway of the home at 2623 Earp St. alerted the family and enabled them to escape unharmed.
The fire started around 3:10 a.m. on an electric stove in the kitchen, said Brightcliffe. Flames heavily engulfed the kitchen and entire first floor before extending to the second floor via an open stairway.
Engine 24 was first on the scene, followed by Engine 47, Ladder 19 and Battalion 1, said Brightcliffe. Firefighters had the blaze contained by 3:28 a.m.
Fire marshals determined the cause to be unattended cooking equipment, said Brightcliffe.
The American Red Cross helped the family relocate.
Ex-cops guilty of anthrax hoax
Two former 17th District police officers were convicted Friday of sending an anthrax hoax over their police cruisers last October, officials said.
Gina McFadden, 27, was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of unlawful use of a computer and making false reports to law-enforcement authorities, said Cathie Abookire, spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office.
A Common Pleas judge sentenced McFadden to two years of probation and fined her $2,500, said officials.
McFadden’s partner, Dawn Norman, 26, was found guilty of making false reports to law-enforcement authorities. She received six months’ probation.
The jury acquitted the two former officers of felony charges of criminal mischief and unlawful use of a computer, said officials.
Both officers were fired because of the incident.
City inspectors convicted
Eight city plumbing inspectors — including three from South Philly — have been convicted of extortion and racketeering for accepting "tips" from plumbers whose work they checked and approved.
The highly publicized four-week trial concluded last Thursday after a 12-member jury deliberated for seven hours.
Joseph Leone, 40, of the 1500 block of Forrestal Street; Joseph O’Malley, 56, of the 2200 block of South Bucknell Street; and Fred Tursi, 58, of the 2500 block of South Chadwick Street, all were found guilty of taking cash payments, said Rich Manieri, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A total of 13 current and former plumbing inspectors are under indictment. Five of the 13 previously pleaded guilty, including James D’Agostino, 57, from the 2500 block of South 17th Street, said Manieri. D’Agostino’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19.
Preventing Halloween tricks
The witching hour is rapidly approaching for police and residents. In the past, the night before Halloween — Mischief Night — has spelled mayhem and vandalism in local neighborhoods.
In response, First, Third, Fourth and 17th District police officers have been working to ensure the holiday madness doesn’t get too out of control.
As part of a program dubbed Operation Good Egg, officers have been visiting area grocery stores in an attempt to discourage the sale of eggs to minors. The goal, according to Fourth District Community Relations Officer Charles Sarkioglu, is to minimize eggings, acts of vandalism and assaults.
Officers also visited area schools to give children some idea of the consequences associated with criminal mischief.
On Oct. 30 and 31, police will have additional patrols on the streets, said Sarkioglu.
Youths under 18 who violate the 10:30 p.m. curfew will find themselves hauled off to Nuisance Court, which will be in session at 11th and Wharton streets on Oct. 30, added the officer.
