Second suspect arrested in Philadelphia mass shooting

Second suspect arrested in Philadelphia mass shooting
UPI

June 7 (UPI) — A second suspect has been arrested in connection with Saturday’s mass shooting in Philadelphia that left three people dead and another 11 injured, the U.S. Marshal’s Service said Tuesday.

Rashaan Vereen was taken into custody without incident Monday evening near the city’s Lower Moyamensing neighborhood, about 2 1/2 miles from the scene of Saturday’s shooting along South Street.

The 34-year-old was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy, violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, possession of an instrument of crime, tampering of evidence and obstruction of justice.

Authorities said Monday they had identified the second suspect and were actively searching for him, but did not release his name. They said they had video footage provided by nearby businesses in the busy entertainment area, as well as several witnesses.

Police also recovered one of at least four guns Monday that were used in the shooting. The firearm bore no serial number and was and untraceable ghost gun, they said.

Police announced the arrest Monday of Quran Garner, who was captured on video in the shooting. The 18-year-old was injured after being shot in the hand by police after pointing a gun in the direction of officers.

Garner is faces multiple offenses, including two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers and attempted murder.

Prosecutors said the shooting initially stemmed from a confrontation between two men who knew each other. After a punch was thrown, things quickly escalated into a shootout in the middle of the crowd-filled street. Two of the men who began shooting did have permits to carry a firearm.

I will continue to fight to protect our communities and urge others to advocate for stronger laws that keep guns out of the hands of violent individuals. Today, I’m sharing a few ways you can help. #SaferPHL https://t.co/LxgFT0NHKs— Jim #VaxUpPhilly Kenney (@PhillyMayor) June 6, 2022

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney joined mayors from other major U.S. cities in calling for tougher gun laws.

“Enough is enough. We need state lawmakers to stop blocking local governments from enacting and enforcing common sense gun laws,” Kenney wrote on Twitter on Tuesday morning.

This comes a day after Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said mayors were collectively “pissed off” at gun control impasses at the state and federal levels.

Fischer, a Democrat, made the comment at a meeting of more than 170 mayors during the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Reno, Nev.

“”We’re working so hard every day to make our cities safe. And there’s actions that could be taken at the federal level, or state level in many of our cases. But for those of us in red states, we’ve almost given up on state action,” Fischer said.

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