On Thursday, July 27, community members will gather for a remembrance event for West Philly community activist and green space advocate Winnie Harris. They will walk in her name and will pass out leaflets to “bring her killers to justice.” The event is organized by the Philadelphia Police 16th District and begins at 6 p.m. at 300 Holly St. See the flyer below for more details and if you want to participate in this event.

Almost six months have passed since Harris, 65, was found shot to death in her home on the 300 block of North Holly Street in West Powelton where she had lived for 40 years. In May, police released a flyer asking for the public’s assistance to identify two persons of interest in the investigation of the killing, which happened on February 3rd, 2017, but so far no arrests have been made.  Continue Reading

Several people were attacked by a group of paintball shooters in West and Southwest Philadelphia on Thursday, according to police. The first attack took place near 42nd St. and Baltimore Ave. shortly after 4 p.m. when a man and a woman walking down the street were shot at by people who were inside a dark-colored Hyundai Azera, according to reports. The couple then saw two more people being hit by the same attackers nearby. After that they drove away.

The third incident happened at around 4:15 p.m. near 50th and Woodland. In this attack, which involved the same vehicle, four people sitting on a porch were attacked in a drive-by paintball shooting. Three people were struck in this attack. All four victims in this attack were transgender, according to reports. It’s not clear whether they were specifically targeted.

Police believe there were four people in the car. No descriptions of the attackers are available at this time. The investigation continues.

More details have emerged about a recent incident at the CVS Pharmacy at 43rd and Locust. Rumors were circulating that the store was robbed on Monday afternoon. Here are some more details from a police report:

Two young males – between 21 and 25 years old – were caught stealing skincare products, and when confronted by staff they pulled knives at them. The incident happened at about 3:40 p.m. on Monday, June 12, according to police. After that both men fled, reportedly with some Aveeno moisturizer stolen from the store. No injuries were reported.

A similar incident happened at the same store last year, but the thief pulled a gun at the store manager after being confronted at the door.

Police have released a flyer asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two individuals sought in the ongoing investigation of the murder of West Philly community activist Winnie Harris. Harris, 65, was found shot to death in her home on the 300 block of North Holly Street on Feb. 3, 2017. According to the flyer, Harris was killed in the early morning hours of Feb. 2.

The first person of interest is described as a black male, average height, muscular build, with bushy hair and a receding hairline. The second person of interest is described as a black male of average build. He possibly has facial hair on his chin. The flyer can be viewed and downloaded here.  Continue Reading

A 51-year-old man was shot and killed by police early Friday morning in Kingsessing, according to reports. The shooting happened shortly after 2:45 a.m. on May 12 at a rooming house on the 1200 block of S. 51st St. The man reportedly lunged at two police officers with a large knife when they came to serve a warrant.

One of the officers used a Taser on the suspect, but he continued lunging at them with the knife, according to reports. Then the other officer discharged his weapon.

The man was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m.

The investigation of the shooting is currently underway, and the officer who discharged his weapon, a 3-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, has been placed on administrative leave, 6ABC reports.

A town hall will be held Monday, May 15 to discuss the 2015 shooting of Philippe Holland and the recent redeployment of the officers involved.

Philippe Holland

Cedar Park Neighbors, Cobbs Creek Neighbors, Garden Court Community Association, and Walnut Hill Community Association are the organizations behind the important community event. The groups have urged local law enforcement to fire Mitchell Farrell and Kevin Hanvey, but the officers have only been transferred to different city districts.

The town hall will be held at the Chapel at Calvary Community Center (48th Street and Baltimore Avenue) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“This meeting will reiterate our concern about these officers still patrolling the streets currently in neighborhoods of South and Northeast Philadelphia, understanding the process for investigating/potentially prosecuting these incidents, and the mechanisms the Police District has to improve communication to the community,” reads a statement from Cedar Park Neighbors.  Continue Reading