Grays Ferry man charged in Love Park homicide

A South Philadelphia man has been charged with fatally shooting a man at the Christmas Village Exhibit at Love Park on Tuesday night.

According to police, Gregory Thomas Sr., 43, of the 2600 block of Wilder Street in Grays Ferry, was working as a security guard at the Christmas exhibit at the famous park at 15th St. and JFK Blvd. when he became involved in a disturbance with the 29-year-old victim at 8:46 p.m.

Police said Thomas walked to a 2007 gray Jeep SUV and retrieved a black duffle bag containing a gun. He removed the gun and shot the victim several times, then fled in the Jeep traveling west on JFK Blvd., police said.

Police found the victim suffering from multiple wounds and transported him to Jefferson Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries at 9:08 p.m.

Police found Thomas at his South Philly home at 10:40 p.m. and took him into custody. Thomas is charged with murder, carrying a firearm and related offenses.

Through Nov. 9, there have been 473 homicides in Philadelphia in 2021, up 11 percent from this time last year. there were 499 homicides in 2020, according to police reports.