A tragic and shocking event unfolded in South Philadelphia on the evening of August 14th. 25-year-old Kaishef Johnson was brutally shot and killed in what police are calling a targeted attack.
The incident happened just after 7 p.m. on the 1500 block of Snyder Avenue, a busy area with homes and businesses.
Johnson, who lived nearby, was riding his mountain bike when three men suddenly ambushed him.
According to the Philadelphia Police, these men got out of a burgundy Nissan, all wearing masks and gloves, and started shooting at him.
Even after Johnson fell to the ground with his bike, they kept firing to make sure he didn’t survive.
Chief Inspector Scott Small explained how brutal and deliberate the attack was.
“This particular victim appears to have been targeted, shot execution-style,” he said, describing how the gunmen stood over Johnson’s body and continued shooting.
Surveillance cameras captured the attack from multiple angles, including footage from nearby businesses and a SEPTA bus.
In the video, Johnson is seen riding west on Snyder Avenue when the men suddenly jumped out of their car and started shooting.
Shockingly, the video shows the shooters continuing to fire until Johnson was no longer moving.
After the shooting, the men drove off eastbound on Snyder Avenue. Their car was later found abandoned around 11 p.m. on the 2000 block of South Front Street, about 1.5 miles from where the shooting happened. No weapons have been found, and the suspects are still on the run.
Johnson lived just a few blocks away from where he was killed, making this tragedy even more heartbreaking.
Family members arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting and are working with the police to find the people responsible.
The community is in shock, of course, especially since the shooting happened in broad daylight on a lively summer evening.
“It’s a beautiful summer night, weather is really nice. It was broad daylight at 7 p.m.” Small said, surprised that such a bold crime could happen in a typically busy area. It’s a small miracle that the fact that no one else was injured in the hail of bullets.
Police found over 40 shell casings at the scene, which shows just how many shots were fired at Johnson.
Most of the casings were found very close to his body, so it’s clear the shooters were up close when they fired.
This once lively neighborhood now faces a sense of fear and disbelief. Understandably, residents and shop owners are grappling with the reality of such violence in their community. Meanwhile, police are ramping up efforts to find the killers.
The Philadelphia Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward. For information leading to an arrest and conviction, they’re offering a $20,000 reward.
Tips can be shared anonymously by calling or texting 215-686-TIPS (8477) or by contacting the Homicide Detectives at 215-686-3334.
As police review more footage and evidence, the community hopes justice will soon be served for Kaishef Johnson, a young man who tragically lost his life on the streets he called home.
