Police: Pair were targeted for death

Police believe two teens gunned down in a hail of gunfire while joyriding on a stolen four-wheeler in North Philadelphia Monday night had been targeted for death.

More than 30 bullets were fired at Dexter Bowie, 17, and Johnathan Stokley, 18, from an AK-47 type assault rife and a 9mm pistol, police said.

"It could have been a lot worse - we could have had an innocent bystander killed," said Homicide Capt. Clark.

He said police found a dozen bullet holes in cars and houses around the crime scene.

Cops said the teens, who lived in the neighborhood, were riding an all-terrain vehicle stolen from upstate Pennsylvania on 9th Street near Cambria when the gunfire erupted just before 8 p.m.

Both teens died at Temple University Hospital.

Clark said one of the victims - he did not say which one - had been shot a few months ago at 8th and Indiana. Both, he said, had run-ins with the law.

The motive for the shooting is not yet known, but Clark said it was apparent the pair had been targeted.

A $20,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest of the gunmen.

Clark in the meantime said investigators are baffled by the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Troy Dixon as he walked across an East Germantown playground on his way home Monday afternoon.

Clark said a hoodie wearing gunman walked up to Dixon about 5:30 p.m. at the Belfield Recreation Center, 21st and Conlyn Streets, and opened fire without saying a word.

Dixon fell with more than a dozen entrance and exit wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Several children, teens and young adults were at the playground at the time of the shooting, but none was wounded.

D.J. Johnson, 30, who identified himself as Dixon's cousin, described the victim as a hardworking barber and father of three children.

Dixon grew up in the neighborhood, Johnson said.

"It's really got to stop," Johnson told reporters. "The violence has got to stop."

A $20,000 rewards also has been posted in the case.