Police name student killed who was chased down, shot 10 times
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The investigation continues into the shooting death of a 15-year-old. The boy was struck by a hail of bullets Monday afternoon just blocks from his high school.
Grief counselors were at two Philadelphia high schools Tuesday after the 15-year-old was shot 10 times and killed.
Police identified the 15-year-old as Neko Rivera.
He'd recently transferred to Kensington High School from another Philadelphia high school. Police say Rivera was chased down and shot near Fels High School in Northeast Philadelphia.
They are still trying to figure out why at least three gunmen chased Rivera through a housing complex on Algon Avenue.
Kensington students held a moment of silence in memory of their classmate.
Rivera, a freshman, is the 17th Philadelphia public school student killed this academic year, according to the district.
A spokesperson also tells CBS News Philadelphia that 78 students have been shot.
Officials told CBS News Philadelphia a fight happened Monday morning involving several people who should not have been at Fels High School.
Fels was put on lockdown after the shooting and parents were sent an automated message.
The district offered grief counseling at Kensington and Fels High School where Rivera used to be a student to help students and staff process the tragic loss. But a mother of one student says counseling isn't enough when gun violence is plaguing the city.
"You never know if it's your son or another kid," Shima Rosado said.
In a letter Monday, the school said the fight was over a stolen cell phone. Students who do not attend Fels tried to enter the school, the letter said.
"Violence is never an acceptable means to conflict resolution, and we echo the District's commitment to teaching and reinforcing appropriate conflict resolution skills to our students, and encourage students to seek solutions from a caring adult in our building if they need support.
Our deepest condolences and thoughts go out to the family and friends of this student. Ours is a tight-knit community, and I know this is difficult news to receive. Death is rarely something that is easy to accept, especially when it involves a young person and particularly during these times as our city grapples with heightened gun violence."
Police will be checking security camera video in the neighborhood.
On Wednesday, the Philadelphia High School for Girls will host a student safety summit in response to the shooting deaths of students.
The day-long event will be at La Salle University.
