Man arrested in connection with shooting that injured a 7-year-old girl in Philadelphia.
A significant development in a violent incident in Philadelphia’s Fairhill neighborhood has emerged as authorities arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with a shooting that left a 7-year-old girl injured. The U.S. Marshals Service apprehended Alfredo Marrero at approximately 4:30 p.m. on October 30 on the 3700 block of North Percy Street. This arrest followed the issuance of an arrest warrant for attempted murder related to the shooting of Azuri Ford on October 28.
Initial reports indicate that Azuri was seated in the rear of her mother’s Honda sedan when an unidentified assailant began firing at the vehicle in the 3000 block of North Marshall Street. The shooting occurred just before 7:15 p.m., with the car struck by bullets three times—twice in the left rear area and once in the rear driver’s-side door.
A bullet struck Azuri in her left arm, prompting swift action from her mother, Amanda Zeledon, who drove her daughter to Temple University Hospital. During the drive, Azuri’s aunt, Angelina Zeledon, helped by applying pressure to her niece’s wound. Following treatment, Azuri has since been discharged from the hospital, although she is currently recovering in a wheelchair due to a broken arm, which is causing her significant discomfort.
Law enforcement officials speculate that Marrero mistakenly targeted the wrong vehicle. As Azuri’s family seeks financial assistance for medical bills and a new car through a GoFundMe campaign, her situation underscores the growing concerns about gun violence impacting innocent children in urban settings.
In a separate incident on the evening of October 30, a 12-year-old boy was also struck by a stray bullet around 6:40 p.m. at the intersection of 18th and West Huntingdon Streets in North Philadelphia. Authorities reported that the boy was transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, where he is listed in stable condition. As of late Tuesday, no arrests had been made in that particular case.
These two incidents reflect an alarming trend of youth being caught in the crossfire of urban crime, raising questions about community safety and the effectiveness of current violence prevention strategies in Philadelphia and similar urban areas.
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