Boy, 16, killed in Germantown shooting; another teen in custody

GERMANTOWN (WPVI) -- A 16-year-old boy was killed and an 18-year-old was taken into custody following a quadruple shooting in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.

The teen who was killed has been identified as Jai Custus.

The shooting happened around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday on the 100 block of East Pastorius Street.

Police arrived on the scene to find four people shot. All four were taken to Einstein Medical Center.

Custus, who lived on the block, suffered a gunshot wound to his back. He later died from his injuries at the hospital.

One witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw the confusion on the boy's face after he was hit.

"He said he was shot, and then they tried to roll him over to see if they could find out where the wound was," he said.

Another victim, an 18-year-old man who suffered a graze wound, was taken into custody. Investigators believe he is one of the people involved in the shooting, implying there was more than one shooter.

A 19-year-old man was taken into surgery with gunshot wounds to the legs and abdomen and is currently listed in critical condition.

Cutus' 13-year-old female cousin was treated for a graze wound to the right arm.

On Wednesday afternoon, community activists returned to the scene with one message: The violence must stop.

"It's so unfortunate that we lose another one of our children through gun violence," said Colwin Williams of Philadelphia Ceasefire.

"I brought a bunch of gun locks. I know it's after the fact, but this can also save a life in the future," said Rosalind Pichardo of Operation Save Our City.

Neighbors, friends and family described Custus as a good kid who loved to play basketball on the block.

"Jai was a good kid. He was playing basketball and everything. He wasn't the type, going at nighttime. He probably was sitting on the steps when he got hit," said Kevin Mitchell.

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