Man shot, killed near crowded bars, restaurants in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police are searching for the suspect wanted for fatally shooting a man in Old City, near several crowded bars and restaurants, on Wednesday night.
Police said 33-year-old Michael Clemens was fatally shot around 11:30 p.m. at South 2nd and Chestnut streets.
"I heard a couple pops, and I was pretty darn sure they were gunshots," said Connor Morris, who lives around the corner.
"That is so weird because this always be like a safe place for everybody and that is so sad," said Anester Spence, who works in the city.
Surveillance video shows Clemens approaching the driver's side of a car, the door then opens and Clemens falls to the ground.
"In this area, you don't really hear of that that much," Morris said. "Obviously, with the tourism, the homeless is a big thing out here, but shootings are more rare."
Clemens was shot multiple times in the neck, chest and torso. He was taken to Jefferson Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
Police said the shooter drove away, and no arrests have been made.
Police were back at the scene Thursday afternoon, canvassing the block, still working to determine a motive.
At least five shots were fired from a semi-automatic weapon, police said.
Officers found a handgun next to Clemens, but it's unclear if it was his or somebody else's.
"It's a tragedy, it's very rare to see this type of activity in Old City," said Job Itzkowitz, the executive director of Old City District, which works to enhance the community.
Itzkowitz said he spent part of Thursday helping police obtain surveillance video.
One bullet also hit a restaurant's window and another pierced a chair on the sidewalk, but Itzkowitz is assuring everyone this neighborhood is still safe.
"So hopefully one incident won't be scaring customers away. We welcome millions of tourists here, people from the region every year and we'll continue to keep Old City a safe neighborhood," he said.
Now, tourists and those who live and work in the area are eager to learn why this happened.
"You got a lot of tourists going around this area as well, so not good for anybody's safety in that aspect," Morris said.