Gunman sought after 31-year-old killed in Center City: police

31-year-old Derwin Matthews fatally shot in Center City

Derwin Matthews, 31, was fatally shot in Center City early Monday morning. His close friend, Jacen Bowman is replaying his final moments with Matthews.

PHILADELPHIA - Derwin Darnell Joseph Matthews, Jr., 31, has died after shots were fired in Philadelphia's Center City early Monday morning.

What we know:

The shooting happened along the 200 block of South Camac Street around 3 a.m.

Police say video shows a group of people walking down the street when an argument takes a deadly turn.

A man was shot in the stomach and rushed to Jefferson Hospital by police, where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m.

Derwin Darnell Joseph Matthews, Jr., 31 | Photo provided by Jacen Bowman

Police identified the victim as 31-year-old Derwin Darnell Joseph Matthews, Jr.

Shell casings and a trail of blood were found at the scene.

Dig deeper:

Philadelphia Police say surveillance video shows a group of people walking down Camac Street, near Locust Street, when Matthews and another man get into an argument that turns physical.

At some point, police say Matthews backs up, and that's when police believe he was shot once in the stomach around 2:38 a.m. 

Police have not released the video.

What they're saying:

Jacen Bowman says he’s replaying his final moments with 31-year-old Derwin Matthews from early this morning. Matthews was identified by Philadelphia Police as the man shot and killed in Center City.

"Derwin should still be here today, Derwin should still be here today," said Bowman. "Derwin was a chef, he was a protector, he was such a vibrant person, full of energy, would give you the skin off his back."

Bowman says he saw Matthews around 2:00 a.m. outside of Voyeur. They hugged, and he says Matthews was happy.

"Pride yesterday was beautiful. It was a great time in the city of Philadelphia. Pride 365 worked extremely hard to make sure everyone in the Gayborhood was safe, but unfortunately we can’t control what happens after the festivities start to wind down," he said.

A member of the ballroom community, Bowman says Matthews was his "chosen son" in the House of Prodigy. Both performed on FOX 29 Good Day back in May 2021.

"Derwin had an infectious personality that everyone loved Derwin, so not only am I hurting, but our community is hurting," he said. "If you guys see something, heard something, know something, say something, now is not the time to be afraid to go talk to the police, we have to make sure justice is served for Derwin. He deserves that."

What's next:

Police are looking for the suspected shooter, who was last seen fleeing on Locust Street.