Man ambushed, fatally shot in Rhawnhurst while wife was sitting next to him in vehicle

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are searching for two gunmen who ambushed a man and shot him to death in front of his wife early Thursday morning.

Investigators said the shooting happened just after 1:30 a.m. along the 7400 block of Whitaker Avenue at Bleigh Avenue. The intersection isn't far from Cottman Avenue in the city's Rhawnhurst section.

Investigators said witnesses told them the two gunmen were waiting in a vehicle for the victim to arrive at home.

The victim, a 34-year-old man, backed into the driveway with his wife in the passenger seat, police said.

The two suspects then walked up and fired nearly 40 shots, striking the truck at least 15 times, according to investigators.

There were two sets of evidence markers on the sidewalk and front lawn where bullet casings landed.

One set of markers indicated that at least 20 shots were fired blindly through bushes toward the truck.

Shannon Ayala, who lives nearby, said what she saw was heartbreaking and disturbing.

"My husband went across the street and they tried to save the man, they dragged his body and threw it in the cop car," she said.

Police arrived after receiving several 911 calls and said they rushed the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

"It was sad, kids were screaming, 'Help my dad, help my dad.' What do you do? Scariest thing ever," Ayala said.

Investigators said the shots were fired from two weapons and that they are reviewing video footage which they believe will help with tracking down the suspects.

It is unclear why the shooters targeted the vehicle, police said.

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