18-year-old Shakuwrah Muhammad was killed Sunday when two groups of gunmen started shooting at each other around 12:45 a.m. in the 7500 block of Rugby Street in the city's West Oak Lane section.
"There is a void in my heart that will never be filled," said Marcia Butler, Shakuwrah's mother.
The Central High School graduate had the best years of her life ahead of her.
"Just a free spirit - gregarious, wonderful, fun-loving child ready to explore life," Butler said. "And I'll never hear her voice again."
Muhammad was at a friend's house when she offered to walk her friend to the bus stop. Along the way a couple of boys, who the two didn't know, asked if they could join them.
"One of the boys noted he can't go to that side of the street, or that block, because 'we have a beef with that particular street up there,'" said Dr. Salaam Muhammad, Shakuwrah's father.
Seconds later shots were fired.
"She didn't make it. She suffered a gunshot wound to the left chest and another gunshot wound to the back that pierced her liver, her lung. Went straight to her heart," said Butler.
She died at Albert Einstein Medical Center.
Muhammad planned on attending college in the fall with dreams of being a forensic scientist. Sadly, those dreams were cut short and now her parents must deal with the nightmare of losing their youngest daughter.
"We need witnesses to come forth and that is what will bring this situation to justice. But it will never end for us," said Butler.
A source tells Action News police have significant leads in this case but, so far, no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information can call police at 215-686-TIPS.
