The long holiday weekend in Philadelphia was overshadowed by an outburst of violence, culminating in three fatal shootings that occurred within less than an hour.
The victims were 55-year-old Tonya Shelton, 34-year-old Devan Harris, and 23-year-old Anthony Turner.
Key Takeaways:
- Three fatal shootings occurred within an hour during Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia.
- The victims were identified as 55-year-old Tonya Shelton, 34-year-old Devan Harris, and 23-year-old Anthony Turner.
- Families and friends of the victims shared their grief and memories, emphasizing the impact of gun violence on the community.
Philadelphia’s Hour of Tragedy: Three Deadly Shootings
Philadelphia detectives were called to three separate deadly shootings in rapid succession on Sunday night, marking one of the city’s most violent Memorial Day weekends.
Each incident left a community reeling and families heartbroken.
First Shooting: Devan Harris, Feltonville Section
The violence began in Philadelphia’s Feltonville section just before 10:30 p.m. on Sunday night.
Gunshots rang out on Rorer Street by Bingham as several shooters opened fire on a crowd. Police believe the group at the top of the block returned fire.
When officers arrived, they found 34-year-old Devan Harris shot multiple times in the head. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Harris was devoted to his family, including a young daughter. His friend, Chris Sanders, shared how Harris was like a brother to him.
“You can’t break that bond. He’s always going to be our brother. Always, forever. It’s just sad that nonsense like this always happens to innocent people,” Sanders said.
He believes Harris was not the intended target, highlighting the senseless nature of the tragedy.
Investigators recovered over 30 shell casings from the scene, including rifle and handgun rounds. This evidence underscores the chaotic and violent nature of the incident.
Second Shooting: Anthony Turner, Strawberry Mansion
Approximately 30 minutes after the first shooting, another fatal incident occurred in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section.
Shortly before 11 p.m., officers were called to the corner of Cumberland and Stanley streets. A 23-year-old man, later identified as Anthony Turner, had been shot.
He was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle but was soon pronounced dead.
Turner was a young man with a promising future. Angelo Booker from Philadelphia Ceasefire was out in the community, working to stop the violence.
“I was just watching the basketball game, and I heard a barrage of shots,” Booker said.
He emphasized the importance of community presence to encourage witnesses to come forward. More than 20 shell casings were recovered at the scene, indicating a significant exchange of gunfire. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
Third Shooting: Tonya Shelton, North Philadelphia
The final shooting occurred around 11:15 p.m. in North Philadelphia.
Police responded to a call on the 2900 block of West Wishart Street, where they found 55-year-old Tonya Shelton shot once in the head.
She was pronounced dead minutes later at the hospital.
Tonya Shelton had lived on the block since the 1970s and was known as a social butterfly. Her daughter, Sara Jackson, shared their last conversation about her upcoming high school graduation.
“She was just very compassionate,” Jackson said. “I wish they didn’t take my mom the way that they took my mom.”
Jackson mentioned an argument earlier in the day outside her mother’s home. A group returned later, leading to the tragic shooting.
Police are still investigating the motive and have not made any arrests.
Philadelphia Confronts Memorial Day Violence
The tragic loss of life over the Memorial Day weekend has left the Philadelphia community in mourning. Families and friends of the victims are left to grapple with their grief and the senseless nature of the violence.
As the investigations continue, the community is calling for justice and an end to the cycle of violence that has claimed so many lives.
The victims’ stories highlight the human cost of gun violence and the urgent need for solutions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
No arrests have been made in connection with these cases, and police continue to seek information from the public to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
The community remains hopeful that by sharing their stories and standing together, they can prevent further loss of life and create a safer environment for all.
