A 16-year-old was in stable condition earlier this week after a group of teens opened fire on him and three friends during an altercation, police said.
The victim, from the 3300 block of North Uber Street, told police he and three friends had a fight with a group of males at 24th and Morris streets around 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
The males, ages 15-18, followed the four to the 1600 block of South Taylor Street, where they opened fire, wounding the victim in his left calf and right foot, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detective Division.
The shooters fled and the victim was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Biello said.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
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Home invasion at gunpoint
A 40-year-old man Friday awoke to see the barrel of a gun pointed at him.
The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on the 500 block of South 12th Street, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
A struggle ensued between the resident and the intruder, who allegedly told the victim he would "blow [his] head off" if he didn’t turn over his money.
The culprit escaped with the victim’s Nokia cell phone and $30, Biello said.
Police believe the man entered the apartment complex through an unlocked gate to the main door.
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Shots fired on South Street
Investigators are still at a loss to explain a bizarre shooting last Thursday morning near 27th and South streets.
Bullets flew, but no one was injured in the 7:15 a.m. incident, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
Michael Martin, the driver of an empty, disabled SEPTA bus parked near the intersection, witnessed the action, but police do not believe he was the intended target.
Martin told police a man exited what looked like a gray Pontiac and fired at a lot on the corner of 27th and South streets.
Several bullets struck the wall of an adjacent house, Biello said. Another slug landed in the rear passenger-side door of a parked Ford Taurus.
After unloading his handgun, the shooter got back in his car and drove south on Schuylkill Avenue, police said.
Police discovered nine spent .357-caliber shells on the 600 block of South 27th Street, the sergeant said.
Police were still seeking a suspect and motive in the case, Biello added.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
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Shooter eludes SWAT team
A domestic dispute prompted a 20-year-old man to fire a gun and then barricade himself in his house when officers responded, officials said.
The drama unraveled last Thursday around 12:30 p.m. when police received a report of gunfire on the 1400 block of South 31st Street, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
The suspect’s 19-year-old girlfriend told police the man hit her during an argument, after which she fled the house.
The offender followed her outside, only to run back inside, fetch a handgun and fire four to five shots at her and some of her family members, who were also outside the home, Biello said. No one was struck in the hail of bullets.
SWAT officers, Philadelphia Housing Authority police and a hostage negotiation team converged on the house, but the shooter managed to elude them, Biello said. Police believe he might have escaped out a back door before law enforcement arrived.
A search of the home turned up a spent .357-caliber shell, the sergeant said.
An arrest warrant is pending.
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Held in church damage
A man was ordered to stand trial Tuesday on charges that he vandalized property at Annunciation BVM Catholic Church, officials said.
George Johnson, 22, of the 100 block of Roseberry Street, faces arraignment Feb. 18, said Cathie Abookire, spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office.
Johnson is charged with burglary, defiant trespass, criminal mischief and institutional vandalism in the Dec. 29 incident, Abookire said.
Assistant District Attorney Nathan Cohen said an apparent fit of anger motivated the attack that resulted in about $60,000 worth of damage to the church at 1511 S. 10th St. Johnson allegedly confessed to vandalizing the church, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
"The defendant went inside the church that night to light a candle. The lighter didn’t work," Cohen stated. "He became upset and started throwing things around the church, and he specifically stated he threw some candle holders to the ground as well as the Nativity figures to the floor."
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Delay in Wal-Mart case
The suspect arrested on charges that he shot a Wal-Mart security guard last November got a reprieve last Thursday — at least for a little while.
Officials postponed Jonathan Miller’s preliminary hearing until Feb. 11, said the District Attorney’s Office.
The 23-year-old remains in jail after failing to post $50,000 bail, officials said.
Detectives and U.S. marshals seized Miller on Jan. 14 in a raid on a house in the 5200 block of Diamond Street. Authorities also recovered a 9 mm pistol loaded with 16 rounds. The serial numbers on the weapon had been wiped out, police said.
