Philadelphia shooting : Possible motive emerges as suspect’s disturbing posts before attack revealed

Suspect in Kingsessing shooting was charged with five counts of murder during preliminary arraignment on Wednesday

Philadelphia mass shooting leaves 4 dead, 2 injured: Police

The man accused of killing five people in a mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighbourhood on Monday evening, left “disturbing messages” on social media before carrying out one of several US mass shootings that marred the Fourth of July weekend.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, appeared on Wednesday in Philadelphia County Municipal Court for arraignment on five counts of murder and other charges related to the shooting, which appeared to be random.

Law enforcement officers revealed to CNN that Carriker told them in sum that he carried out the shooting to “clean up the neighbourhood.”

The shooting unfolded at around 8.30pm on Monday when the suspected assailant, dressed in a bullet-proof vest and ski mask and armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, “wreaked havoc, firing with a rifle at their victims seemingly at random”.

Five people were killed in the attack: Lashyd Merritt, 22; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; Joseph Wamah Jr, 31, and Daujan Brown, 15.

Two children – aged two and 13 – were also injured by gunfire but are in stable condition. The two-year-old’s twin and a 33-year-old woman were also injured via broken glass.

Key points

• Kimbrady Carriker posted ‘disturbing messages’ online before Fourth of July attack
• Suspect appears in court for arraignment on five counts of murder
• Five victims identified, including 15-year-old boy
• Shooter wore bulletproof vest and armed with two firearms
• City mayor says suspect had a ‘stockpile’ of weapons

[6 July 2023 17:08 · Graig Graziosi]

Philadelphia councilman demands apology after Camden, NJ Democrat calls residents ‘savage’ and ‘barbaric’

The night after Kimbrady Carriker allegedly killed five people in a mass shooting in Philadelphia, a 6-year-old girl was shot across the river in Camden, New Jersey. A teen from Philadelphia was taken into custody as a suspect but was later released pending further investigation.

That was enough for one Democratic lawmaker lash out at the city and its residents.

Camden County Commissioner Louis Cappelli, Jr, said that the county has been working hard to reduce crime, but said his its proximity to Philadelphia makes it difficult. He said that 80 per cent of the guns used in crimes in the county come from out of state —“usually across the river from Philadelphia and Pennsylvania,” according to ABC 6.

That’s when he laid into the residents of Philadelphia.

“We just want to send a message to the thugs and criminals and gun-bearing freaks over in Philadelphia who live in a society of lawlessness - we don’t want you here,” Mr Cappelli said. “Stay out of Camden. Stay out of Camden County. Stay out of New Jersey. Keep your barbaric behavior in Philadelphia.”

He continued:

“So to all you thugs and criminals in Philadelphia thinking that your lawlessness can be spread elsewhere, stay at home. Stay out of Camden County.”

Philadelphia Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, also a Democrat, took offense to Mr Cappelli’s comments and demanded an apology.

After making clear she was praying for the recovery of the child shot in Camden, she offered a sharp rebuke to Mr Cappelli.

“I am extremely appalled by the derogatory statements made earlier today by Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. A majority of the 1.59 million residents of Philadelphia are self-respecting, law-abiding citizens. To insinuate that ALL Philadelphians are ‘thugs,’ ‘criminals,’ and ‘freaks’ simply because one of the suspects in a shooting has ‘a tie to Philadelphia’ is completely unacceptable,” she wrote.

She continued:

“Not only were his comments disparaging, but they were asinine and unprincipled for an individual of Mr. Cappelli’s stature ... I hope that he swiftly apologizes for his generalized comments and continues to welcome Philadelphians to Camden County as we will continue to work with and welcome Camden County, New Jersey residents who frequent our City on a daily basis with open arms. I am always available to work together if he chooses to do so.”

[6 July 2023 17:43 · Graig Graziosi]

Suspect Kimbrady Carriker did not have a license to own firearms

Kimbrady Carriker, the man police believe carried out a mass shooting in Philadelphia that left five people dead, did not possess a license to own a firearm, according to police.

Carriker was allegedly carrying an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun when police arrested him following the shooting.

Prosecutors believe at least one of the guns Mr Carriker had in his possession was a “ghost” gun — an unregistered gun lacking serialized numbers on its components that is typically built by the user.

[6 July 2023 18:57 · Graig Graziosi]

Alleged Philadelphia shooter had previous conviction for carrying a gun without a license

Kimbrady Carriker, the alleged gunman in a mass shooting in Philadelphia that left five dead, was reportedly convicted in 2004 of carrying a gun without a license.

He had no further convictions after the 2004 incident.

Mr Carriker was found to be in possession of two weapons — including one “ghost” gun — when police arrested him following the mass shooting.

He did not have a license for either weapon.

[6 July 2023 19:20 · Graig Graziosi]

Alleged shooter posts cryptic message to Facebook days before shooting

Kimbrady Carriker, the alleged gunman in a Philadelphia mass shooting that killed five, reportedly made a cryptic, seemingly apocalyptic post to his Facebook page just two days before the shooting.

“But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat,” the post said.

It was followed by an excerpt from the Biblical book of Isaiah.

“To save you, I will send an army against Babylon,” read the verse. “I will break down the city gates; and the shouts of her people will turn into crying.”

[6 July 2023 19:40 · Graig Graziosi]

‘Gods, Gun, and Trump’ : Posts from alleged Philadelphia shooter's Facebook revealed

The Facebook page of the alleged Philadelphia mass shooter Kimbrady Carriker may provide some insight into his state of mind and political leanings ahead of the attack.

Several of the posts include disparaging remarks about Joe Biden, and many showed support for unfettered gun access, according to Vice News.

One post asked “Who supports Trump in 2024,” along with an American flag image emblazoned with the words “God, Guns & Trump.”

Another reveals the low view he held for some members of his community.

“During community patrols I have notice a big shame [sic]. So many of our 50 + 60 + 70 year old elders are influencing the youth negatively,” he wrote. “They are without a doubt promoting and participating in robbing, prostitution, scamming, and murder. When one of their monsters is killed they cry foul. Boohoo, these pillars; these old a** people who should know better kill our youth.”

His final post on the site before allegedly carrying out the attack was a video released by a gun manufacturer showing off its latest high-powered rifle.

[6 July 2023 20:10 · Graig Graziosi]

A father praises the 15-year-old who died protecting his son during the Philadelphia mass shooting

Rafiq Fitzgerald Sr appeared on Good Morning America where he discussed how 15-year-old Daujan Brown saved his 13-year-old son during a mass shooting in Philadelphia earlier this week.

Daujan, who was best friends with the 13-year-old, was killed in the attack.

“As a parent, you don’t want your child around certain people. [Brown] wasn’t one of those types of kids. In my eyes, I’m glad I never kept him away from my son because he was a hero, if you asked me. He died trying to protect his best friend,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “In my eyes, Daujaun is like Superman. I’m so grateful for him.”

[6 July 2023 20:46 · Graig Graziosi]

Suspected Philadelphia mass shooter left a will at his house before attack

Kimbrady Carriker, the man police believe carried out a mass shooting in Philadelphia that killed give, reportedly left a will at his home before he left to allegedly carry out the attack.

Prosecutors also said he spent the days before the attack acting agitated and walking around his home in a tactical vest.

[6 July 2023 22:00 · Graig Graziosi]

America’s mass shooting crisis, in numbers: More than halfway through 2023, US on pace for record-setting year

The US has recorded at least one mass act of gun violence every day, underscored by a chaotic July 4 holiday

Alex Woodward reports:

[6 July 2023 23:00 · Graig Graziosi]

Victim was due to walk his daughter down the aisle at her upcoming wedding

A Philadelphia father was supposed to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding just days after he was killed in Monday’s horror mass shooting.

Ralph Moralis, 59, was one of the five victims killed on the eve of July 4 when a shooter dressed in a ski mask and bullet-proof vest stalked the streets of the Kingsessing neighbourhood gunning down victims.

Moralis’ former partner Tamika Veney described the 59-year-old as a family man who was looking forward to his eldest daughter’s wedding this weekend and was going to walk her down the aisle at the nuptials.

[7 July 2023 00:00 · Graig Graziosi]

Kimbrady Carriker posted ‘disturbing messages’ online before Fourth of July attack

The Philadelphia gunman charged with killing five people over the Fourth of July weekend left “disturbing messages” on social media before carrying out one of several US mass shootings that marred the holiday break, authorities said on Wednesday.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, appeared on Wednesday in Philadelphia County Municipal Court for arraignment on five counts of murder and other charges related to the Monday evening rampage, which appeared to be random.

Investigators said they have yet to determine a motive for the shooting. Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal said at a briefing on Wednesday that authorities were focusing on “disturbing” posts found on the suspect’s social media accounts.

She did not reveal the substance of those posts, nor what was written in a will for the suspect dated 23 June that investigators also discovered. Later when asked by a reporter, officials declined to comment.

Sheriff Bilal urged the public to alert authorities if they see extreme posts on social media.

“That is on all of us, not sit in silence when we see these type of posters that are threatening to harm us, harm our communities, harm our children,” she said.