The victim's true name is Anthony Sheerd, police say. He was initially identified as Tony Sherrod McAllister, but that was apparently one of his many alter egos.
Sheerd, 45, has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1987, including drug offenses, aggravated assault and robbery. Police say he had several pending drug cases at the time of his death.
The shooting happened late Monday afternoon at the Morris Estate Recreation Center. A baby stroller was left behind in the playground as people scrambled for cover.
Chief Inspector Scott Small said 10 to 15 people were present at the time, including some young children.
Sheard was shot in the chest, back and shoulders by an unknown gunman. Police say Sheerd got into an argument with his killer, sparking the gunfire.
He was the stepson of one of three hero firefighters who lost their lives in the Meridian high-rise fire back in February of 1991.
Firefighter Phil McAllister was killed when he and his two colleagues became disoriented in the heavy smoke inside the 38 story high rise. Officials say they ran out of oxygen and died despite valiant efforts to save them.
On Monday night Phil's widow, Elizabeth 'Bonnie' McAllister, was consoling her neighbors who just lost their father to natural causes when word came about her own son.
"She was over our house consoling us and then she gets a knock on our door that her son's been shot," neighbor Bryant Coleman said.
"She will put her needs aside to help someone else, and that's exactly what she was doing today; she put everything aside and she came to see about Dad and to face yet another tragedy such as this," neighbor Anita Coleman said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477), text a tip to PPD TIP (773847) or through PhillyPolice.com.
