17-year-old arrested for involvement in mass shooting in Grays Ferry.
A 17-year-old male, identified as Brandon Fischer, has been charged with murder and related offenses following a mass shooting incident that took place in Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, resulting in three fatalities and ten injuries. Law enforcement officials reported Fischer’s arrest on Friday morning after a coordinated effort involving police detectives and SWAT units led them to a residence located a few blocks from the shooting scene, situated on the 1500 block of South Etting Street.
The incident occurred during a block party attended by over 100 individuals on July 7, when chaos erupted as gunfire rang out. Authorities assert that at least 13 attendees were involved in the shooting, leading to a complex investigation. Previous arrests in the case included three adults: 35-year-old Jihad Gray, 21-year-old Daquan Brown, and 22-year-old Terrell Frazier, all of whom face murder charges stemming from the incident. Police anticipate that additional arrests will follow as the investigation unfolds.
In a striking development, Dieve Drumgoole, the father of one of the shooting victims, has also been charged with murder and related crimes. The police allege that Drumgoole discarded a firearm into the Schuylkill River immediately following the shooting, subsequently reporting the weapon stolen after law enforcement initiated arrests. Another suspect, Christopher Battle, aged 24, remains at large.
Initial assessments by police suggested that the block party itself may have been targeted; however, detectives have revised this theory. They now contend that one individual may have fired a shot into the air or toward a nearby vehicle, inciting a panicked response from several men who, fearing for their safety, discharged more than 120 rounds in a haphazard attempt to return fire.
The victims of this tragic event included Zahir Wylie, 23, from Overbrook; Jason Reese, 19, from West Philadelphia; and Azir Harris, 27, who was confined to a wheelchair after a previous shooting incident. Each succumbed to their injuries.
Authorities utilized surveillance footage, physical evidence, and witness accounts to identify the individuals involved in the shooting. As the investigation continues, police have noted that it remains unclear which suspects specifically fired the shots that resulted in the deaths of the three victims. The ongoing inquiry aims to clarify the sequence of events and hold those responsible accountable. The situation continues to develop as investigators pursue leads in this harrowing case.
Media News Source