Homicides in Philadelphia on the rise

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Homicides in the city of brotherly love are on the rise. Authorities say homicides in Philadelphia are up by 20 percent from this time last year.

Philadelphia's murder rate increase is something Darryl Miller cannot ignore as he gets water ice just blocks from a Queen Village spot where a 42-year-old man was found face down in a pool of blood shot to death on the 1000 block of South 4th Street.

One of the latest Philly killings driving the city's murder rate up 20 percent, according to police.

"We have waved and troughs of violence in the city. I think the 20 percent number, it's 8 to 10 extra people until it's 50 to 100 people I think people won't react to it," Miller said

But it's different for Justina Fera of Old City.

"I think it's wild. I mean it happens every day, every weekend. I always think to myself like I wonder what the cops are going through this weekend they must expect that they're going to have to go out and find, arrest a bunch of people."

Philadelphia police say there have been 168 murders as of midnight July 16, which is a 20 percent jump up from from this time last year. It comes as the city reels from a bloody weekend that saw four men shot at 21st and Fitzwater in Southwest Center City. One of those men was killed.

"I don't know what's causing it but I just wish there was something to do to change it because it is scary."