Philadelphia shooting : Possible motive emerges as suspect’s disturbing posts before attack revealed
Suspect in Kingsessing shooting was charged with five counts of murder during preliminary arraignment on Wednesday
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The man accused of killing five people in a mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighbourhood on Monday evening, left “disturbing messages” on social media before carrying out one of several US mass shootings that marred the Fourth of July weekend.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, appeared on Wednesday in Philadelphia County Municipal Court for arraignment on five counts of murder and other charges related to the shooting, which appeared to be random.
Law enforcement officers revealed to CNN that Carriker told them in sum that he carried out the shooting to “clean up the neighbourhood.”
The shooting unfolded at around 8.30pm on Monday when the suspected assailant, dressed in a bullet-proof vest and ski mask and armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, “wreaked havoc, firing with a rifle at their victims seemingly at random”.
Five people were killed in the attack: Lashyd Merritt, 22; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; Joseph Wamah Jr, 31, and Daujan Brown, 15.
Two children – aged two and 13 – were also injured by gunfire but are in stable condition. The two-year-old’s twin and a 33-year-old woman were also injured via broken glass.
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First victim believed to have been found hours after shooting
In a press conference on Tuesday, law enforcement in the Philadelphia Police Department said the first victim of the mass shooting that took place on Monday is believed to have been an adult male who was not discovered until Tuesday morning.
Though the man was the final victim to have been discovered deceased, authorities believe bullets entered his home as the suspected gunman began firing rounds.
Philadelphia DA calls out lack of gun control in Pennsylvania
Larry Krasner, the district attorney of Philadelphia, gave an impassioned speech about gun control in the state of Pennsylvania during a press conference on Tuesday.
“It is disgusting, the lack of proper gun legislation that we have in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Mr Krasner said.
“It is time for everybody in our legislature, including the ones who would like to walk around with an AR-15 lapel pin in this time, for every one of them to face the voters.”
ICYMI: 5 dead, 2 injured as suspect taken into custody after police pursuit
340 mass shootings to date this year
The Gun Violence Archive, an online database that tracks the number of mass shootings per month and per year has logged 340 mass shootings in the United States this year.
Including the recent Philadelphia shooting, there have been five mass shootings in July – only four days into the month.
Suspect in custody but not charged
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, authorities in Philadelphia said the suspected shooter responsible for the mass shooting that left five dead and seven injured was in custody but had been charged yet.
Commanding officer of the Philadelphia Police Department’s homicide unit Ernest Ransom said charges would be “forthcoming”. These charges could include first-degree murder, firearm-related charges and aggravated assault.
Police commissioner Danielle Outlaw assured the community that they are “confident” they have the individual responsible in custody and there is “no reason to believe there are additional suspects.”
Roughly 1 in 20 Americans own an AR-15 rifle as firearm’s popularity explodes despite role in mass killings
About one in 20 US adults – roughly 16 million Americans – own at least one AR-15-style rifle, according to polling from Ipsos and The Washington Post, which traced the explosion of the popular firearm from its military use into one of the nation’s most popular and deadliest weapons. One of the firearms carried by the Nashville suspect was an AR-style rifle, according to police.
Alex Woodward reports:
Roughly 1 in 20 Americans own an AR-15 as firearm’s popularity explodes
Originally intended for military use, AR-15-style rifles have surged in popularity over the last two decades
Who are the five victims?
Police in Philadelphia identified the five people who were shot and killed in a mass shooting on Monday.
All five victims were men ranging in age from 15 years old to 59 years old. The victims are Lashyd Merritt, 20, Dymir Stanton, 29, Ralph Moralis, 59, Joseph Wamah Jr, 31, and Daujan Brown, 15.
In addition, two children were injured as a result of gunfire. Police did not identify them immediately.