Five shot and killed in city in less than 24 hours

In less than 24 hours, five shooting deaths were recorded in Philadelphia Friday and yesterday, bringing the number of homicides in the city this year to 121.

With warm spring weather, "more people are out," Philadelphia homicide detective Ron McClane said late yesterday afternoon. The weekend "is getting out of control," he said.

Police said a 19-year-old man was shot in the head just before 10 p.m. Friday near Jasper and Lippencot Streets. He died shortly before noon yesterday at Temple University Hospital. The victim was not identified pending notification of his family.

At 12:20 a.m. yesterday, James Alford, 29, was shot four times after an argument at a neighborhood barbecue in the 600 block of South Yewdall Street in West Philadelphia, according to authorities. He was taken by private car to Mercy Hospital and pronounced dead at 12:37 a.m.

Police were still investigating yesterday and believe a handgun was involved. They did not identify any suspects.

A desk clerk at the Adelphia Apartments at 1229 Chestnut St. called police at 8:56 a.m. to report a shooting in one of the rooms. Inside, police discovered a 28-year-old man who had been killed after an argument. He has not been identified pending notification of family.

Solomon Esangbedo, 22, who lived at the address, was charged with murder and possession of an instrument of crime. He is alleged to have killed the victim with a .22-caliber handgun, according to officials. (Update: Esangbedo was acquitted of all charged on Dec. 18, 2008, court records show.)

The period's fourth homicide was reported at 1:06 p.m. Police found Demond Brown, 31, of the 3500 block of North 18th Street, lying in the area of 3400 North 15th Street with two gunshot wounds to the chest and back. He was taken to Temple University Hospital and pronounced dead at 1:13 p.m.

Police said they had no suspects or motive.

Few details were available in the afternoon's next homicide. Officers were called to the area of 1500 Allegheny Avenue at 4:43 p.m. and found a woman with a gunshot wound to the head.