13-year-old shot in head while sitting in car

A 13-year-old West Philadelphia boy was clinging to life yesterday after a gunman fired into his cousin's car as the teens and two friends sat stuck in traffic in Brewerytown Thursday night.

The other boys told police that the ambush resulted from a road-rage incident, but skeptical investigators are probing other possible motives, homicide Capt. James Clark said yesterday.

"We're not necessarily sure that's true; we don't really know why it transpired," Clark said.

The victim was visiting a friend near 29th and Thompson streets when his mother called him, summoned him home and sent his 18-year-old cousin to get him, Clark said.

The older boy arrived with another juvenile in the car and picked up the 13-year-old and his friend shortly after 8:30 p.m.

Within minutes, the quartet stopped in traffic. The gunman approached the car on foot and began firing.

The 13-year-old was hit in the back of the head, and his cousin immediately drove to the hospital. The younger boy remained in extremely critical condition yesterday at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.

"It appears that someone in the vehicle was the intended target," Clark said.

Tipsters can call homicide investigators at 215-686-3334.