Police Investigating Shooting Death Of Man In Mayfair
By Al Novack, Michelle Durham, Jericka Duncan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police are investigating the shooting death of a man in Northeast Philadelphia early this morning.
According to authorities, an off-duty cop found a man's body inside a parked car in an alley behind the 7500 block of Brous Avenue in Mayfair about 5:30 a.m.
According to police, several neighbors called 911 after hearing gunshots. When police arrived, they found the victim slumped behind the wheel of a green Dodge Stratus.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was not immediately known, but police said he was an African-American male in his 20's who is from Northeast Philadelphia.
Homicide detectives say the man appeared to have been shot in the chest. Police had no immediate motive or suspects. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Joe DeFelice, president of the Mayfair Civic Association and chairman of the Mayfair Community Development Corporation, says the shooting is a rarity for that neighborhood.
"Everyone keeps an eye out for one another. We watch each other's property. We watch each other's kids, and we're going to continue to do that. One random incident isn't going stop that," he told KYW Newsradio.
Capt. Frank Bachmayer, of the 15th Police District, says crime data for Mayfair shows a decline in most areas.
"Our robberies are down slightly -- three less from this time last year. Residential burglaries are up three from last year. We have a pretty good decrease from theft from autos."
As far as violent crime, such as shootings, Bachmayer calls that a rarity and he credits the work of officers who work closely with the Mayfair Civic Association.
"It's just not the crime, it's also those quality-of-life issues. It's important for the community to let us know what's going on so we can have a response to that," Bachmayer said.
