Suspects in custody for 2022 mass shooting that injured 9 in Philadelphia's Kensington section
Action News was there Thursday as 25-year-old Michael Smith-Davis was taken into custody on Kensington Ave.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Two people are facing charges in connection with the 2022 mass shooting that left nine people injured in Philadelphia's Kensington section.
Action News was there Thursday as 25-year-old Michael Smith-Davis was taken into custody on Kensington Ave.
The DA's office says he was arrested in connection with the mass shooting.
Investigators say around 10:42 p.m. on November 5, 2022, two men jumped out of a black vehicle near the intersection of Kensington and Allegheny avenues, and fired dozens of shots into a crowd outside Jack's Bar.
Police say at least 40 rounds were fired, striking nine people between the ages of 23 to 40 years old.
RELATED: 9 people shot outside bar in Philadelphia's Kensington section; multiple gunmen sought
"These young men turned that location into a war zone and shot nine people in the back, in the side, in the leg, wherever they could with zero regard for anyone who was out there on that day," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
The nine victims were rushed to Temple University Hospital. Luckily, all of them survived.
Police say the victims were patrons of several businesses on the 800 block of E. Allegheny Avenue. When the gunfire erupted, they became startled and took cover inside the bar after realizing they had been shot, according to police.
For months, investigators say they used technology, forensics and DNA to find the people responsible.
They say the arrests of both suspects is the result of a collaborative effort of several agencies, including the city's Gun Violence Task Force.
"I think the message here today is you've heard of the Gun Violence Task Force in South Philadelphia. You've heard of the Gun Violence Task Force in Southwest. And now, we're branching out. You're going to see us more in Kensington. You're going to see us more in North Philadelphia," Assistant District Attorney William Fritze said.
Captain James Kearney also spoke on Friday about the work done to identify the suspects in this case.
"The detectives were determined. They were persistent. They had integrity," he said. "We will hope for a successful prosecution."
Now, Smith-Davis is in custody and facing charges of Attempted Murder, Criminal Conspiracy and other related offenses.
Police say an arrest warrant has been issued for a second suspect, a juvenile, who is currently in custody in western Pennsylvania on an unrelated charge. He is not being identified until he's formally charged.
"Ultimately this is a clear example of our goals to remain the same. We will continue to work closely with the Philadelphia police, with the agents of the attorney general's office to solve unsolved homicides in this city. We will continue to arrest and prosecute the individuals who commit gun violence," Assistant District Attorney Alyssa Amoroso said.
The juvenile will be brought back to Philadelphia next week to answer to these charges.
Action News has been told the shooting was not gang-related. The DA's office says it was retaliation for a prior robbery.
Philadelphia City Councilmen Mark Squilla and Jim Harrity joined DA Krasner as he made the announcement Friday morning.
Harrity, who lives a block from where the 2022 mass shooting took place, said he hopes the news of these arrests sends a message.
"This just goes to show you that we're not going to stop," he said. "We are going to arrest you. We are going to charge you. We are going to convict you."
