A teenager was gunned down Monday night inside a Southwest Philadelphia playground, authorities said.
The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. at DeRitis Playground, located on the 5600 block of Grays Avenue, according to police.
PPD Chief Inspector Scott Small told TV crews at the scene that surveillance footage shows the gunman appearing to sneak up behind the victim — Anthony Jerome Sharpe Jr., 18 — before opening fire at close range. Investigators reportedly recovered 9 spent shell casings at the scene.
Sharpe, who lived in Delaware, was shot multiple times, police said. Officers rushed him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he died a short time later. The PPD has not provided a motive in the shooting, and no arrests had been made when Metro went to print Tuesday.
Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or call or text the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, whose district includes DeRitis Playground, was planning to hold a peace walk and door-to-door canvas in the neighborhood late Tuesday afternoon.
Since Jan. 1, 36 homicides have been recorded in Philadelphia, down nearly 30% compared to the same date last year, according to PPD data.
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.
