Three men have been shot near Hunting Park Rec Center over the last month in what appear to be linked crimes, sources say
The two men killed this month were found partially undressed and shot in the torso near the Hunting Park Recreation Center. Police believe the same gunman was involved in both killings, sources said.
Philadelphia police are investigating whether three men shot near the Hunting Park Recreation Center in the last month — two of them fatally and just six days apart — were targeted by the same gunman, according to law enforcement sources.
The two men killed this month were found partially undressed and shot in the torso inside the large North Philadelphia park, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. A third man was shot in late May and survived.
Police believe the same person was involved in both killings, the sources said, and are looking into whether the men had met the suspect through a dating app.
Police commanders have scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference to discuss the cases.
Officers responded to the park, at 1101 W. Hunting Park Ave., on June 20 shortly after 10 p.m. and found Martin Higgins, 45, on the bleachers of the baseball field, suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. He died at the scene, police said.
Then, on June 26, police responded and found another man just before 11 p.m. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds near the basketball courts. Police have not yet been able to identify the victim, but described him as a man between the ages of 25 to 30.
Police are also looking into whether a third shooting last month is linked to the gunman. In that May 29 incident, a 55-year-old man was shot in the elbow and torso in the park just before 10 p.m.
Higgins’ relatives could not be immediately reached for comment Monday. An obituary shared online said he was a graduate of Temple University’s business school and worked as an inspector for the city’s Community Life Improvement Program.
“Marty was known for his passion for clothing, style, and self-expression,” the obituary said. He had a “kind heart, generous spirit, and unwavering support for those he loved” and “was the person who showed up when someone needed him, always making time for family and friends no matter what was going on in his own life,” his family wrote.
He was one of six children and was an uncle to many nieces and nephews.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
