Police search for clues in North Philly quadruple shooting
The blood was still visible Tuesday afternoon on the sidewalk of West Stiles Street in North Philadelphia, crimson-hued and chunky, like blotches of dried paint.
Few other signs remained from a shooting nearly 24 hours earlier in which three men were killed and a fourth wounded — the city's deadliest shooting of 2017.
Police were continuing to search for at least two gunmen suspected of ambushing a group of men in a courtyard on the 1100 block of Stiles around 3:30 p.m. Monday. The motive was an argument, police said, but they declined to elaborate.
Homicide Capt. James Clark said the shooters may have fled in a gray SUV. Investigators were reviewing surveillance footage to obtain further details.
"Right now it's still very much a work in progress," Clark said.
Authorities identified the deceased as Tyair Jabbar, 20, of Southwest Philadelphia; Ronald Fenwick, 32, who lived near the shooting scene; and Marcello Robertson, 27, of Hunting Park. A 26-year-old man whom police did not identify was shot in the stomach but survived.
Clark said two of the victims were cousins, but he did not elaborate.
A man on Stiles who declined to give his name said he was a close friend of all the victims, who he said grew up in the neighborhood. He also said each of the men — whom he described as "genuine" — had children.
"All they wanted to do was provide for their families and go home at night," said the man, holding a teddy bear and candles he intended to place on the street as a memorial.
Court records show that Fenwick and Robinson had each served time in prison since 2009: Fenwick for pleading guilty to aggravated assault and drug-related charges, Robinson for pleading guilty to carrying a gun without a license.
Monday's shooting site is about a block from St. Malachy School, a pre-K-through-eighth grade institution that was locked down during the police response.
The area surrounding the scene already had drawn the attention of law enforcement officials. Last year, the District Attorney's Office arrested 15 people and accused them of belonging to the "TNT gang," named for Tenth and Thompson Streets, which intersect nearby.
Police said that at least 20 rounds were fired Monday, and that ballistics tests showed at least two weapons were used.
Clark said police were hoping to talk to the surviving gunshot victim, as well as any witnesses or tipsters. As of Tuesday afternoon, he said, no one had reached out to police to help.
Up to $60,000 in reward money is available for tips that lead to an arrest and conviction — three times the typical amount, because of three victims.
Tipsters can call the Homicide Unit at 215-854-3334.
