Suspect wanted for shooting in East Mount Airy identified

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man was shot in the East Mount Airy section of Philadelphia on Monday evening following a meetup organized over social media, sources tell Action News.

The suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Vanessa Graystone, who police say should be considered armed and dangerous.

Police add that Graystone's hair is now red instead of blue.

The man who was shot initially told police he had gone to the house to deliver food, but sources say that investigators have since learned that wasn't true.

The shooting happened just before 5 p.m. in an alley off the 1500 block of E. Johnson Street.

After the meetup a fight ensued, sources said. The 29-year-old male victim was shot in the back.

"When he saw a person approaching him with a gun, he began to flee on foot and that's when he heard the gunshots and realized he was shot," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Investigators found six spent shell casings, most at the opening of the driveway where the victim was found.

Multiple 911 calls came in, and police say an officer transported the victim to Einstein Medical Center where he is in critical condition.

Ezra Walizer heard the shots.

"Basically working on a customer's house behind me, heard three shots, turn around, I see two legs sticking out from underneath the front of his car," said Walizer. "He's screaming for help, for someone to call the cops. So I called the cops, tried to make him comfortable and that was it."

Stanley Stocker said his first reaction when he heard the shots was to make sure his teenage son was safe.

"I'm sad that it's happening in our neighborhood, where children are running and walking," Stocker said. "We're hoping things just get better."

Anyone with information on Graystone's whereabouts is asked to call or text police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).