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Police responded to a call of shots fired and a man down in Point Breeze at 12:28 a.m. Sunday and, about 18 hours later, the victim’s friends and family were in the middle of a hail of bullets at his vigil at the same location.
Police discovered Azzim Dukes, 17, of the 1600 block of Montrose Street, unresponsive on the sidewalk of the 2000 block of South 19th Street with a bullet to his head. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene five minutes later, Police Public Affairs Unit Officer Christine O’Brien said.
According to reports, a gun was found at the location, but there were no motives or suspects at press time, O’Brien added.
Later that Sunday, at 7 p.m., about 30 people ran in terror when shots rang out during a vigil for Dukes at 19th Street and Snyder Avenue — near where the teen was gunned down.
Police later found a Buick with its rear windshield shattered and dark, broken glass on the ground. Ballistics evidence was recovered in the rear of the car and elsewhere at the scene, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said.
No one was injured at the vigil and police did not release a description of the suspects.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013 or the Homicide Division at 215-686-3034.
Duo wounded
Two men were standing on the corner of 21st and Sigel streets when an unknown shooter fired at them Saturday evening for no discernible reason.
At about 5:30 p.m., shots came from nearby McClellan Street, striking a 16-year-old once in the back of the head and a 23-year-old once in the back of the right arm, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. The former was transported by police to The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in guarded, but stable condition, while the latter was taken to Methodist Hospital by private auto in stable condition.
Ballistics were recovered at the scene, but neither victim could provide police with a description of the shooter or a motive, Tolliver said.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
For life
Vincent Pratt will serve a life sentence for the murder of a 15-year-old Point Breeze teen that occurred four years ago.
The now 20-year-old from the 2200 block of Pierce Street was found guilty of gunning down Anthony Williams in front of the latter’s home on the 1500 block of South 19th Street in April 2006.
Williams’ grandmother tried to pull him inside the home when the shots rang out, but Williams was struck in the back of the neck and died in her arms, Tasha Jamerson, director of communications for the District Attorney’s Office, said.
Pratt, who was not arrested for the crime until November ’08, was convicted of first-degree murder, criminal conspiracy and firearms violations and was sentenced March 2, according to court documents.
“This was a long and difficult case from the time of Pratt’s arrest in 2008 to his conviction on Tuesday,” District Attorney Seth Williams said in a statement. “Thanks to the efforts of Philadelphia Police homicide detectives and [Assistant District Attorney Brian Zarallo’s] persistence, Vincent Pratt will now be behind bars for the rest of his life for the senseless killing of an innocent 15-year-old.”
Driving to live
A man shot while driving traveled almost two miles Monday night before he called police.
The 32-year-old was going south on 34th Street near Grays Ferry Avenue when a dark-colored older-model van pulled up on the left side of his car, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. Three or four shots were fired at his vehicle, with one striking the motorist in his left shoulder.
The man continued heading south and, when he reached a residence near 24th and Ritner streets, he called the cops, who transported him to HUP, where he was treated and released.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Charged with assault
A Philadelphia Parking Authority officer was allegedly assaulted as he wrote a ticket for a man believed to be double-parked on Broad Street near Ritner Street March 4.
The 28-year-old worker saw a black, unattended Acura in the northbound lane of the 2400 block of South Broad at 5:10 p.m., Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. As he started to write the ticket, Grant Gambone, 39, of the 1700 block of Ritner, allegedly approached him and said, “I’m picking up my f***ing daughter.”
As the ticket-writer attempted to call a supervisor, Gambone stepped closer and allegedly said, “I will kill you and your supervisor” before he hopped in his car and sped up Broad, Tolliver said. But police believe Gambone did not vacate the area, though they say he did drive away, but may have parked nearby.
While the employee was completing the ticket, though the driver had departed, Gambone allegedly ran across Broad towards the worker with fists clenched and pushed the man, who stumbled backwards, Tolliver said. Gambone then allegedly put his hand over the man’s face and pushed him back. The worker tried to walk away, but Gambone allegedly encircled him, Tolliver said.
When police arrived at the scene, Gambone was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and harassment.
The PPA employee was not injured.
Sentenced for store owner’s murder
Two Southwest men were convicted of the murder of a store owner from the 2200 block of South 17th Street in a robbery-gone-bad at the man’s Southwest furniture store.
Shawn Williams, 23, and Johnny Brown, 19, were convicted of second-degree murder Friday for gunning down Anthony D’Antonio, 60, in December 2007, according to court documents.
The Vietnam vet was killed by a gunshot blast to his head while inside his store at 58th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard.
Both men will be sentenced May 24.
Dangerous gun play
Following an argument, a man is believed to have pointed a handgun at a woman in Grays Ferry, but didn’t harm her, before speeding off in a black Cadillac; he later allegedly admitted to police he was involved in the incident.
Darrien Gresham, aka Mark Stokes, 45, of the 1900 block of Federal Street, allegedly pointed the weapon at the 23-year-old near 30th and Wharton streets 8:20 p.m. Sunday before driving off, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said.
The woman called police and rode along as they surveyed the area. On the 1400 block of Etting Street, they spotted the car believed to be involved, Tolliver said. When police approached the man at the wheel, he identified himself as Gresham and allegedly told them he was involved in the altercation. The woman and a witness also identified him.
Gresham was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats and firearm violations.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
World Series ring thief pleads guilty
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The Citizens Bank Park janitor who grabbed a Phillies World Series ring left in a front office bathroom pled guilty to theft Monday and faces a maximum of seven years in prison for the crime, Tasha Jamerson, director of communications for the District Attorney’s Office, said.
Anthony Mobley, 54, of North Philly, pled to theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. He will be sentenced June 2, according to court documents.
At about 1:20 p.m. Aug. 31, a 44-year-old Phillies publicist left the $10,500 piece of jewelry on the toilet-paper dispenser in a stall. He noticed it missing while driving home about 20 minutes later and returned to search the bathroom with no success.
After reviewing surveillance footage, police interviewed Mobley, who admitted to taking the ring and hiding it in a utility closet at the stadium, police said. He led police to the ring and was arrested Sept. 2.
Mobley had pled guilty to murder in 1974 and was convicted of aggravated assault in 1984, according to court documents.
Mugged for $30
A 17-year-old had a gun pointed at her head in an early Saturday morning mugging in Whitman.
While walking south on Second Street from Daly, a man with a dark-colored revolver with a long barrel approached her and demanded her money at about 1:15 a.m., Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said. She handed over her wallet that contained $30, and her phone, and the culprit fled north on Second toward Jackson Street with the items, Tolliver said.
The offender was described as black, age 25 to 30, 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds with a light complexion and wearing a gray jacket and black baseball cap.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Violent purse-snatching
Two men jumped a woman, taking her black purse and shoving her to the ground in the process, last week.
The 37-year-old was walking east on the 1700 block of Catharine Street when one offender put her in a chokehold and another pulled the purse from her shoulder 7 p.m. March 4, Detective Danielle Tolliver of South Detective Division said.
When she screamed, the first man pushed her down and told her to shut up before snatching her iPhone from her hand, Tolliver said. The duo fled south on 17th Street with her goods, as well as her driver’s license, credit cards, checkbook and prescription medication.
The first man was described as black, age 18 to 20, 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds with a medium build and wearing a dark jacket and jeans; his accomplice was described as black, age 16 to 18, 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds with a thin build and wearing a dark hoody.
To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.
Be safe springing forward
As residents gear up to turn their clock forward an hour Sunday, area organizations are encouraging residents to change the battery in their smoke detectors, as well.
The American Red Cross, along with PECO and the Philadelphia Fire Department, will hold “Change Your Clock — Change Your Battery” 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Fire Administration Building, 240 Spring Garden St.
Thirty city residents died in fires last year with 21 of those deaths occurring in homes without a smoke detector or one with defective or missing batteries.
After reminding the public of the importance of changing their smoke alarm batteries, Red Cross and PECO volunteers will hand out fire safety kits in a nearby neighborhood.
Contact Staff Writer Amanda Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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