A 17-year-old was shot and killed behind his Feltonville home on Tuesday morning, according to Philadelphia police.
The shooting occurred on the 5000 block of Rorer Street in the Feltonville section of North Philly.
School staff and media outlets identified the victim as Noah Scurry, a student at Samuel Fels High School.
“The student recently scored the highest among the Fels community on the SAT college placement tests,” Fels principal Melissa Rasper said in a letter to the school community.
Scurry reportedly played for the Fels basketball team, and Rasper said the squad’s games will be cancelled for the remainder of the week.
“Ours is a tight-knit community, and I know that this is difficult news to receive even when it doesn’t occur on school property,” Rasper wrote. “Death is rarely something that is easy to accept, especially when it involves a young person, a classmate and particularly during these times as our city grapples with heightened gun violence.”
Through Tuesday, there have been 7 homicides in Philadelphia, according to police data.
Arthur Steinberg, President of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said in a statement Tuesday: “We are devastated that senseless gun violence has claimed the life of another Philadelphia public school student. Every child deserves the freedom to learn, mature, and thrive without the threat of violence.
“Our thoughts are with the survivors of the 17-year-old child who was reportedly killed near his home in Feltonville this morning. We also extend our sympathies and support to the teachers and staff at Fels High School who poured themselves into him, who by the school’s account was a high-achieving student with great potential.”
Anyone with information is asked to call or text the PPD’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Counseling, peer support, and victim advocacy services are available for victims, family members, and others affected by gun violence. Go to metrophiladelphia.com/gun-violence-resources for more information.
