Local journalist and advocate Josh Kruger was shot and killed in his home in South Philly’s Point Breeze neighborhood on Oct. 2 and police are searching for answers.
According to police, Kruger, 39, was shot seven times in the chest and abdomen at approximately 1:28 a.m. and was pronounced dead a short time later after he was transported to a nearby hospital.
There have been no arrests and no weapons found, according to police. Kruger was a longtime journalist and justice advocate for the LGBTQ+ and recovery communities.
“Josh Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities – particularly unhoused people living with addiction,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “As an openly queer writer who wrote about his own journey surviving substance use disorder and homelessness, it was encouraging to see Josh join the Kenney administration as a spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services. Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story. As with all homicides, we will be in close contact with the Philadelphia Police as they work to identify the person or persons responsible so that they can be held to account in a court of law. I extend my deepest condolences to Josh’s loved ones and to all those mourning this loss.”
Kruger lived on the 2300 block of Watkins Street. He wrote for news outlets such as the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Citizen. Philadelphia Police are leading the investigation of his murder.
“Many of us knew Josh Kruger as a comrade who never stopped advocating for queer Philadelphians living on the margins of society,” the District Attorney’s LGBTQ+ Advisor Committee said in a statement. “His struggles mirrored so many of ours – from community rejection, to homelessness, to addiction, to living with HIV, to poverty – and his recovery, survival, and successes showed what’s possible when politicians and elected leaders reject bigotry and work affirmatively to uplift all people. Even while Josh worked for the Mayor, he never stopped speaking out against police violence, politicized attacks on trans and queer people, or the societal discarding of homeless and addicted Philadelphians.
“We are devastated that Josh’s life was ended so violently. We urge anyone who has information that could lead to an arrest and prosecution for Josh’s murder to contact the Philadelphia Police or the DA’s Office directly. LGBTQ+ Philadelphians experience violence of all kinds every day; few people used their platforms to remind powerful people in government of that reality as effectively as Josh Kruger did. Josh and the communities he advocated for every day of his life deserve nothing less than justice and accountability for this outrageous crime.”
