13-year-old girl shot, killed in North Philadelphia home, police say

North Philadelphia community mourns Alaysia Smith, city's youngest victim of gun violence in 2024

A 13-year-old girl has died after she was shot inside a residence Wednesday evening in North Philadelphia, police say. 

Philadelphia police responded to several 911 calls about a shooting just after 7:30 p.m. on the 2800 block of North Bailey Street, police said.

The girl, who was identified by her family as Alaysia Smith, was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound in her chest. Police rushed her to Temple Jefferson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead just after 8 p.m., according to police. 

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said the girl did not live at the home where she was shot but was visiting friends there with family members.

Police said at least two teen boys were seen running from the home after hearing gunshots.

Some adults connected with the house were taken to be interviewed by homicide detectives, Small said. Police are also interviewing people, including family members, at the hospital to try to find out what happened, Small said. 

Police also obtained some surveillance video from the block that they will check to see if anyone was entering or exiting the home around the time of the shooting, Small said. 

"It's a tragedy all around," Small said, and detectives are investigating multiple angles. 

Police are actively investigating and have the scene secured. No arrests have been made and no weapon has been recovered, police said.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or call/text the PPD's tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477). There is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

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