Man, dog shot by suspects targeting homeless in Kensington, police say
Philadelphia police are looking for two suspects who they say shot a man and a dog in Kensington.
The shooting happened shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday on the 2400 block of Kensington Avenue.
Police say the victim was camping out between two homes when the gunmen approached, robbed him and then shot him multiple times. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
A dog that belonged to a man named Logan in the encampment was also shot and died, police say.
Police believe this is part of a larger, disturbing pattern where gunmen deliberately prey on people experiencing homelessness.
"Based on the information we have so far, we also believe that they have been preying on the homeless community, possibly seeing them as easy targets for money or possibly even drugs. So we want to identify these individuals as quickly as possible and get them off the streets," Inspector D F Pace said.
Logan said men entered the encampment where he was staying and tried to rob his friend.
"They ended up shooting my friend, and my dog was there," Logan said. "They shot my dog twice."
Logan said he helped wrap tourniquets around his friend's legs to stop the bleeding. That man was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, Logan's 3-year-old dog, Buddy, didn't make it.
"He was a good dog," Logan said. "He didn't bother nobody. Everybody in the neighborhood loved him. He was well taken care of."
Steps away from where the shooting happened, Logan said he was confused why the suspects would target them.
"I mean, we don't have much," Logan said. "We're homeless out here. And to rob somebody homeless thinking you're going to get something is completely crazy."
Rosalind Pichardo, of the Sunshine House, which provides care to those battling addiction in the neighborhood, said she knows the victim and that incidents like this aren't uncommon.
"When you got folks you see every day coming in with bruises, lacerations and now we're going to see Roger in the hospital with a gunshot wound," Pichardo said. "So it's sad."
Detectives say they will go through surveillance video in the area to try to track down the two gunmen.
Anyone with information regarding this is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department or submit an anonymous tip by calling the PPD Tip Line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
