Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that left a homeowner with a leg wound in the 1600 block of East Mayland Street, West Oak Lane, early Thursday morning. The victim, a 56‑year‑old man, was preparing for work when he heard voices in his yard and was struck by a bullet that entered through the rear glass door.
Police response and suspect description
Chief Police Inspector Scott Small said 14th District officers responded to a 911 call at about 4:30 a.m. after a neighbor reported a person screaming. Officers found the victim in the basement of his home with a gunshot wound to his right lower leg. “That male fired a shot from the vehicle that went through the rear door of his property, striking the victim in the leg,” Small explained.
The victim told investigators he believes his black Acura SUV is being targeted; the vehicle was damaged in a possible break‑in four days earlier, a claim police have verified.
Community reaction
Longtime resident Morgan Carroll, who has lived in West Oak Lane for 42 years, expressed shock at the violence. “I can’t understand why people are doing this,” Carroll said. “How are you going to take someone else’s stuff that they earned? And you want to shoot them because you can’t have it? I don’t understand.” Carroll added that if the victim had been hit higher, the outcome could have been fatal.
Carroll, who was checking on his neighbor’s home when the incident occurred, described the scene: a shattered back glass door and blood splattered on the pavement.
Investigation ongoing
Police have released a limited description of the suspect: a thin man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, seen driving a gold sedan before speeding away. Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the Philadelphia Police Tips line at 215‑686‑TIPS.
The incident adds to a recent string of violent crimes in the city, prompting community leaders to call for increased vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
