Officials identified the victims as 42-year-old Nicole Lee-Bullock and 47-year-old Andrew Bullock.
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Police responded around 2:45 a.m. Friday to 61st and Locust streets in the Cobbs Creek section of the city where they found the two victims lying on the sidewalk.
"We heard pop pop pop, four or five shots," said Razakhan Wali. "I knew the distinct sound of gunfire and I didn't even come to the door. My wife came out after she saw the police cars out there."
Lee-Bullock was shot once in the back of the head and her husband was shot once in the face.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene by medics.
Police say it appears the gunman fired approximately 18 shots. They say at least 15 shots were fired at point-blank range.
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"Where we found these two victims was just one house away from where they live together with their family," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. "We found them just a few feet from their front steps."
Police believe the Bullocks were returning home when the shooting took place.
They say preliminary information says there was family at the home at the time of the shooting, including the couple's children.
Officers found two cellphones and a purse next to the victims, along with a gun still in its holster.
"It appears that gun was not fired nor was it even pulled from the holster...we don't believe that weapon was used," Small said.
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Action News was there as investigators pulled a gun out of the bushes in front of the home.
Chana Morris said she knew the couple and is devastated that something so horrific happened to them.
"I just never thought the neighborhood would get this bad. I never thought it would be this bad. I'm scared to let my kids be outside on the porch and I don't know what to do," she said.
Police do not have a clear motive yet or an immediate description of the shooter.