19-year-old killed in shooting outside North Philadelphia house party
Teen killed outside of North Philly house party
A 19-year-old man has died after police say two groups exchanged gunfire outside a house party in North Philadelphia, according to investigators. Officers responded to the area just off Temple University’s campus after ShotSpotter technology detected multiple shots Sunday night.
PHILADELPHIA - A 19-year-old man is dead after police say two groups exchanged gunfire outside an out-of-control house party late Sunday night in North Philadelphia.
What we know:
Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the 1700 block of North 16th Street around 11 p.m. for reports of multiple gunshots.
Responding officers encountered an out-of-control house party that had spilled onto the street. Inspector D.F. Pace told reporters that officers worked to get the "very combative" crowd under control before resuming the shooting investigation.
Investigators collected over two dozen fired shell casings on the street and sidewalk along the block. Several parked cars were also struck by gunfire.
Officers determined a U-Haul van with five teenagers had arrived at Temple Hospital with a 19-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The 19-year-old, identified by police as Hyvear Zayzohn Tookes, was pronounced dead a short time later.
The other four males in the van were ages 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Investigators believe the shooting erupted between the group in the U-Haul van and another group on the street outside the house party. Police did not directly link the shooting to the house party, noting the investigation is still in its early stages.
What you can do:
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or call the PPD tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Tipsters can remain anonymous.
There is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
Local perspective:
"My dog was barking. He was scared. I almost had a seizure. My heart was racing," said a neighbor. "I screamed and I ran. Like I was at my house and I heard and ran. When I get outside all I see is people running, people screaming at stuff," said Naya Blackwell, a neighbor. "It’s not safe at all for anyone to be outside. I don’t know why people allow their kids to be outside late like this," said Blackwell.
Neighbors say the violence has left them questioning their safety.
"Back in our day, we had to be in the house by the time the street lights came on. Y’all kids out here 1 and 2 o’clock in the morning," said a neighbor.
What we don't know:
Police have not identified any suspects beyond the four people who were released. Investigators have not said what led to the gunfire or whether anyone else was injured.