One suspect charged in fatal shooting at graduation party in Nicetown; another suspect remains at large.
In a tragic incident on Saturday evening, a birthday celebration in the Nicetown neighborhood turned deadly after gunfire erupted, claiming the lives of two men and leaving a mother and her seven-year-old daughter injured. Authorities have confirmed that one of the assailants, identified as Lonzell McDaniel, 20, has been charged with murder and related offenses.
The chaotic scene unfolded shortly before 8:30 PM in the 1900 block of West Hunting Park Avenue, where friends and co-workers had gathered to celebrate. According to Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore, an argument escalated into violence at the gathering, leading one unidentified individual to produce a firearm and start shooting. This initial altercation resulted in injuries to a 26-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, the latter of whom was shot multiple times.
In a distressing turn of events, McDaniel emerged from the residence where the party was held and opened fire at a crowd, striking a 29-year-old man in the head. He also grazed the side of the young girl’s head. The injured individuals were promptly transported to area hospitals. The young girl was treated at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital before being transferred to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, where she was reported to be in stable condition. Her mother is also recovering at Jefferson Einstein and is listed as stable. Tragically, the two men who were shot—identified as Quran Ross-Weems, who attempted to intervene in the fight, and Nafiq Johnson, who was aiding the injured—were pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital.
McDaniel’s arrest has raised concerns among local law enforcement, particularly regarding the psychological toll of such violence on the community. Authorities are still seeking to identify the first shooter involved in the altercation. The involvement of a child in this incident has further underscored the gravity of the situation, eliciting strong reactions from law enforcement officials, including Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, who condemned the reckless use of firearms in close proximity to children.
The Nicetown shooting is part of a broader disturbing trend, as police reported over the weekend at least 12 shootings across the city, resulting in three fatalities and 12 injuries. Another incident occurred on Friday night in West Philadelphia, where a drive-by shooting claimed the life of a 33-year-old man and left a 49-year-old man injured. Police are currently investigating both cases and are on the lookout for potential leads and video evidence.
In a separate yet similar incident earlier in the week, gunfire erupted at a graduation party in North Philadelphia, injuring four individuals, including a mother and her two children.
As the search for suspects continues, community leaders and law enforcement officials stress the urgent need for violence prevention initiatives, particularly in areas disproportionately affected by gun-related crimes. The recent spate of violence underscores the growing concern over public safety and the imperative for collective action to combat this issue.
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