Imani Ringgold, 20-year-old woman killed in West Philadelphia shooting, wasn't the intended target, police say
Imani Ringgold, the 20-year-old woman gunned down after picking up lunch in West Philadelphia earlier this week, was not the intended target of the shooting, police said Friday.
Police have also identified two of the four suspects in this homicide case and are asking for the public's help tracking them down.
Ringgold was fatally shot and two others were injured on the 5900 block of Market Street the evening of Tuesday, April 7.
Ringgold had just grabbed a slice of pizza, leaving work at 60th and Market streets, when investigators say a Mazda pulled up to the corner. Three shooters got out and started firing. Ringgold and two other people were hit.
"Due to the timing and her proximity to the scene, it is likely she was mistaken for an individual within the intended group," police said in a news release.
Ringgold's grandmother, Diedra Bynum, said the two were on the phone when the shooting happened.
"She walked out the pizza store, and that's when I just heard the gunshots, and she didn't even get the chance to scream," Bynum said. "Then I heard someone say, 'Oh, [expletive] it's a girl.' And they must have just ran off. I don't know."
Imani's aunt, Lynette Ringgold, said her 20-year-old niece worked for a home health care company in that West Philadelphia neighborhood.
"She started the job two weeks ago. She didn't live in the area. she was passing through," her aunt said.
Family says Imani Ringgold learned this past Saturday she was accepted to community college. She planned to pursue something in HVAC.
Bynum says she can't stop playing the memories of what she heard.
"I keep hearing it. I said, 'Lord, please get the sound out my head.' And it's hard. She was just an innocent bystander. I got to the hospital and they said she was shot 18 times. She didn't even have a chance," Bynum said. "I go to the funeral home, they tell me I might not even have an open casket for people to see her for the last time. And this is so hard. And I can't do it."
Suspects in shooting identified
Police are looking to locate two male suspects in the shooting: 26-year-old Mustafa King and 21-year-old Zaire Manning.
Mugshots of the two suspects were released Friday. Police are still working to identify two other suspects seen on surveillance video.
Second car may be involved with shooting
Investigators say surveillance video showed a small dark SUV pull up to 60th and Market before three individuals — believed to be men wearing masks — got out and opened fire directly at the young woman.
Police later tracked down that vehicle, but it was abandoned.
In Friday's news release, police said they are seeking information on a second vehicle that may have been used by the suspects.
Surveillance images of that second vehicle were released Friday.
As with all homicides in the city, a $20,000 reward is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction.