Philadelphia police are probing a tragic shooting that took place just after 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning in a multi‑unit building on West Girard Avenue near 16th Street in North Philadelphia. According to the Philadelphia Police Department, a woman entered the building and attempted to gain access to a first‑floor apartment that required a key code for entry.
What happened
Officers responding to a 911 call reported hearing a gunshot from inside the building. Inside the locked steel door, a woman in her 50s was found unresponsive, bleeding heavily from a chest wound. She was transported to Temple Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The woman who was shot has not yet been identified, but police say she also appears to be in her 50s. The woman who fired the weapon is cooperating with investigators, and a semi‑automatic handgun was recovered from the apartment.
Investigation details
Chief Inspector Scott Small said the door had no windows or peephole, meaning anyone firing through it would be shooting blindly. “When you’re shooting through that door, you’re shooting blindly because there’s not a window — you can’t see — and there’s not even a peephole,” Small explained.
Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the building and have spoken with a security guard who was on duty at the time. The guard’s conversation with the shooter has not been disclosed. Investigators are also interviewing the guard and other building residents to piece together the sequence of events.
Possible motives
Authorities have not yet determined whether the shooter intended to break into the apartment or mistakenly approached the wrong door. The locked door required a key code, and the building’s security measures suggest the shooter may have been attempting an unlawful entry.
Police have not released any further details about the victim’s identity or the shooter’s background pending the ongoing investigation.
Community response
Neighbors expressed shock and concern over the incident, noting that the building’s security features are designed to protect residents. Local community leaders have called for a thorough investigation and for any necessary safety improvements to prevent future tragedies.
The Philadelphia Police Department urges anyone with additional information or video footage to contact the department’s tip line.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
