2 women killed in separate shootouts in Philadelphia; friend of victim speaks to Action News

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The friend of a woman who was killed during one of two deadly shootouts in Philadelphia overnight is speaking out.

Nasere Waldo told Action News they were returning from a late-night workout around 1:45 a.m. Thursday.

The two had parked at the intersection of North 12th Street and Lindley Avenue in the city's Logan section when they noticed a white vehicle nearby.

The friends hurriedly walked down the sidewalk to make their way into the apartment building.

However, that's when Waldo and police said two males jumped out of the vehicle with their faces covered.

Police said the suspects displayed a gun and tried to rob the victims.

Police said the two friends dropped everything but, at some point, the woman pulled out her own gun.

There was an exchange of gunfire between the woman and at least one of the suspects.

Police said the woman was shot in the chest and died on the scene.

Waldo shared a photo of the 26-year-old victim who lost her life. We are told her name is Shammarah McPherson.

Waldo had to remember McPherson's passcode to unlock the victim's phone in order to call her parents to break the news to them.

"She was my best friend. Having to lose her life simply protecting herself and me, so I just want to thank her for what she did cause I don't know what might've happened had she (not) been there. I just want to make sure I thank her," Waldo said.

The suspects got away in the white car.

Police said, minutes later, a white car arrived at Einstein Medical Center and dropped off a 15-year-old boy who was shot three times.

One of his fingers had been blown off; he was also hit in the shoulder and chest.

Investigators said he is in critical condition.

"In regards to the possibility of the person that did it possibly being 15, I would just say check your kids, check on your children," Waldo said. "We are hearing more and more stories about young teenagers and young adults that are getting into a lot of violence throughout our city."

The driver of the white car left the hospital.

"We're also getting camera footage from Einstein Medical Center to see if the vehicle that dropped off the 15-year-old matches the white vehicle that fled the scene of this robbery and shooting," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Around an hour earlier, another shootout took place at South 53rd Street and Woodland Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.

Investigators said a 27-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man got into an argument while inside a bar at the intersection.

Police said the argument continued outside and that's when the two ended up shooting at each other.

The woman was shot twice and died after being driven to the hospital in a private vehicle, police said.

The man remained on the scene and was cooperating with the investigation.

Previously, two women had been killed in shootings all year, and now two more are added to the total within a span of two hours.

Women usually make up a small percentage of homicides in the city. So far this year, more than 60 people have been killed and four are women.

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