Police identify man killed during attempted carjacking in South Philadelphia
While trying to stop the carjacking the victim was shot once in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police have identified the man who was shot and killed during an attempted carjacking in South Philadelphia late Wednesday night.
Michael Salerno, 50, was shot around 10:45 p.m. at 12th and Porter streets.
Investigators say Salerno was shot when three males, thought to be between 15 and 20 years old, were trying to carjack his vehicle.
A female friend was inside the car.
"The offenders approached the vehicle, and the offenders were aggressive and violent from the start," said Lt. Hamilton Marshmond.
While trying to stop them, Salerno was shot once in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members say it wasn't a surprise that Salerno would speak up when he saw a friend in danger.
"It doesn't surprise me that he stepped in, no," said his stepdaughter, Brittney Decker. "I wish he didn't, obviously, but here we are."
Salerno was not inside the vehicle at the time of the carjacking, Marshmond said during a Thursday afternoon news conference.
It appears the suspects may have been looking for a target. Police say they were circling the neighborhood in a Red Kia Soul with out-of-state plates.
"We do see the offenders' vehicle ride past in the area several times. It appears that the offenders were in the area to either rob a person or attempting to take a vehicle," said Marshmond.
Jackeline Ortiz heard the commotion then saw the victim on the street.
"Slowly there started to form a pool of blood. The lady was screaming and she came back - she was screaming over the man on the ground," said Ortiz.
The suspects got away in the Kia Soul. The vehicle was last seen going south on 12th Street.
No arrests have been made.
"It was a senseless act and it didn't need to happen," said Decker.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.
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