Stray bullet from drive-by shooting kills Philadelphia woman enjoying barbecue
Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker was driving through the area at the time and rushed over to help.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A drive-by shooter killed an innocent victim who was enjoying a barbecue with friends on a porch in Philadelphia's Frankford section, police say.
It happened on Harrison Street by Tackawanna Street around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Police say the 29-year-old woman, identified as Tylesha Watson, was outside on the porch.
Watson had been enjoying a barbecue and music with friends when she was hit at least once in the back by a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting.
Video obtained by Action News on Wednesday shows the moment the gunfire erupts on the block.
Police say the vehicle was an older model silver Chevy Impala, traveling west on Harrison.
As it approached the intersection with Tackawanna, someone in the silver car started shooting at a group of people on the corner and kept firing back at them as the car passed.
Officers rushed the 29-year-old victim to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Philadelphia Police Captain John Walker was driving through the area at the time, heard screaming from a porch that someone was shot and rushed over.
"This is an innocent person out here on a nice night who's trying to do the right thing, trying to enjoy the music, enjoy the weather, enjoy the barbecue. Now instead of just having a joyous time, we're going to be planning a funeral," Walker said.
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The Philadelphia Police Department updated its crime tracker Wednesday morning showing there have been 322 homicides so far this year.
That surpasses the number of homicide victims at this time last year, by one.
Last year had 562, the highest in the city's recorded history.
During Wednesday's city violence hearing, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said programs to stem this violent hide are being put into place, and she's asking Philadelphians to be patient.
"I think it's important that we all have to acknowledge that when you have a strategy, you have to give it some time. And stick to it to allow it to work," she said.
Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call police.
