Bystander shot, killed trying to break up argument in Philadelphia's Kensington section

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police say an innocent bystander was shot and killed in Philadelphia's Kensington section as she tried to break up an argument that escalated into gunfire.

Investigators say they watched it play out on city-owned surveillance footage and saw the woman get between two people who were fighting, but she was shot and killed in the process.

"It appears the person who was struck by gunfire was an unintended target who was attempting to either mediate or break up the fight between the shooter and another person, who it looks like the shooter was attempting to fire at," said Inspector DF Pace with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Police say the shooting happened just after midnight in front of a convenience store along the 2500 block of Kensington Avenue, not far from A Street.

The 41-year-old woman was shot in the right arm. She was taken to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The victim's identity has not yet been released to the public.

However, those who knew her say she was a mother who was excited and looking forward to seeing her teenage son off on the first day of school on Monday.

"She was a good person -- good mom," said Patricia Lowry, a friend of the victim. "She was just actually talking about her kid going back to school today and what happened to her is not right, it's not fair."

Lowry said the victim lost one of her children and her husband in the last two years.

Action News is told a number of people were in front of the store and at some point, an argument broke out. That's when investigators say the victim tried to break up the fight but was fatally shot.

"They were playing cards - playing spades, as a matter of fact," Lowry said.

"The shooter raised a gun -- what appears to be aiming it at the other person that they were having an argument with and fired at least one time," Pace said, "striking that female who was between the shooter and who appears to be the intended target."

No weapons have been recovered and no arrests have been made.

Authorities say it's not clear if anyone else was injured in the shooting.

But afterward, the shooter can be seen on surveillance video assaulting a man in the street.

"I'm still in shock," Lowry said. "It's sad. I really don't know what to say."

Others who knew the victim say she was always pleasant, and someone who always wanted to keep the peace.

"She didn't like confrontation," said friend Melissa Finley. "She was friends with everybody. We were all friends out here."

The Philadelphia Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Homicide Detectives at 215-686-3334. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling or texting our PPD's tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). As in all homicide cases in Philadelphia, a $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.