Police: Man killed in Fairmount was the victim of a botched carjacking; suspect is 15 years old
Police say the victim was armed and shot the 15-year-old suspect in the leg. The teen returned fire, killing the victim.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man who was shot and killed in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia was a pizza delivery driver who was the victim of a botched carjacking, police say.
The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the 2700 block of Swain Street.
Investigators say they found a 26-year-old man on the street with at least one gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, the victim - a driver for nearby Fairmount Pizza - got out of his vehicle to get pizzas from his trunk.
Police say that's when a 15-year-old suspect jumped in the car. The delivery driver tried to get his cell phone before the suspect took off.
That's when the delivery driver, who police say has a permit to carry, shot the suspect in the leg. The suspect then shot the driver in the chest, killing him.
Police say the teen made it to Temple University Hospital for treatment.
Charges against the teen are now pending.
Along with the victim's body, police found his car still running on the quiet street in Fairmount. They also found what they believe to be the victim's gun.
Neighbors heard what sounded like an argument before the shooting and say a doctor who lives nearby tried to help.
"Pass on my condolences to the guy's family. That's a terrible thing to happen," said Fairmount resident Colm Feeney.
Officers say homicides are unusual in Fairmount.
Neighbors who moved here for the family-friendly setting and safety are stunned by recent crime.
"I no longer feel safe in the neighborhood," said resident Thea Gudonis. "There's been armed robberies, carjackings. We had two cars stolen recently. We had a car stolen yesterday as well."
"My motorcycle was stolen and then my girlfriend's car was stolen two weeks later," said Fairmount resident Gabe Coffey.
Police say they are reviewing surveillance video in search of additional clues.
The manager of Fairmount Pizza tells Action News the driver had worked there for about a year.
