Those who knew the victim, 23-year-old David McClenic, said he was a health-care worker for the mentally challenged.
No one can understand why he was murdered.
"My son worked every day. He didn't hang out on the streets. He was a wonderful child," said McClenic's mother, Melinda.
Police say McClenic was walking in the area of Merion and Hansberry when he was accosted by several neighborhood thugs.
"They approached him. They then physically assaulted him. And as he was defending himself from these males in this unprovoked attack, one of the males came up from behind him and just started firing, striking him several times, killing him," said Capt. James Clark of the Philadelphia Police.
McClenic was killed in front of his girlfriend and her family. Police have a murder warrant for 26-year-old Anthony Baker, who is well known to authorities. Baker, who has a history of arrests for drugs and violence, remains at large.
McClenic had just completed classes at community college and higher education was on his agenda.
"He did everything right growing up. He went to school, he attended community college. He was scheduled to graduate in May," said Melinda McClenic.
As David's family and friends came to claim his body at the medical examiner's office, his mother issued a bitter plea and declaration.
"I just want the mayor to do something more to help this city to get these thugs off the corner. It's getting to be ridiculous. They don't care about anybody. It has to stop, it has to stop," she said.
Anyone with information is asked contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or at phillypolice.com.
