Pizza delivery driver ID'd after being shot, killed during robbery in North Philadelphia

The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Danny Matthews, police said Friday.

Friday, June 21, 2024 8:19PM
Pizza delivery driver ID'd after being shot, killed during robbery in North Philadelphia
Philadelphia police are investigating after a pizza delivery driver, 29-year-old Danny Matthews, was shot and killed on Thursday night in North Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are investigating after a pizza delivery driver was shot and killed on Thursday night.

The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Danny Matthews, of North Philadelphia, police said Friday.

It happened around 9:30 p.m. outside Pete's Pizza in the 2000 block of Ridge Avenue near Master Street in North Philadelphia.

The pizza shop is directly across from the Philadelphia Housing Authority Headquarters and housing officers rushed the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Fortunately this entire incident was captured on video from a pizza take out shop. It turns out the victim is actually a delivery driver for the pizza takeout," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

According to Small, the gunman fired about six shots at close range, striking Matthews multiple times.

Philly police give update after delivery driver shot, killed on June 20, 2024.

"Even when the victim goes in reverse to get away, our shooter stays with the vehicle holding on the driver door," Small added. "You can clearly see a male walking south on the sidewalk on Ridge Avenue, approaching the driver's door of the victim's vehicle. It appeared he tried to pull open the driver's door and that's when the victim put the vehicle in reverse and then crashed into the parked car."

Matthews was reportedly returning from a delivery when he was gunned down outside of the pizza shop, Small explained.

Action News was told by employees there that this Matthews had returned in order to pick up more food to make another delivery.

Police said robbery was the motive for the shooting, however, the suspect didn't get away with any money before running from the scene.

Police say they have one clear video- and are checking cameras in the area for additional surveillance.

The suspect is described as standing 5'10" with a medium to thin build. He was last seen headed south on Ridge Avenue wearing a hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS.