The suspect involved in the tragic mass shooting in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia, which claimed the lives of five people, is scheduled for arraignment on murder charges today, Your Content has learned.
Identified as 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, the accused is also facing charges of aggravated assault and weapons offenses, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
The horrifying incident occurred around 8:30 pm on Monday when the alleged assailant, dressed in a bullet-proof vest and ski mask, unleashed violence upon innocent victims with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun, seemingly targeting them at random.
The victims who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence have been identified as Lashyd Merritt (22), Dymir Stanton (29), Ralph Moralis (59), Daujan Brown (15), and Joseph Wamah Jr (31).
Additionally, two children aged two and 13 were injured but are in stable condition. Furthermore, a two-year-old’s twin and a 33-year-old woman were also injured by broken glass during the incident.
President Joe Biden responded to the tragedy, urging Republican lawmakers to engage in meaningful and commonsense gun control reform.
The suspected shooter, Kimbrady Carriker, is awaiting arraignment after allegedly committing this heinous act with a “ghost gun,” which authorities believe may have been obtained illegally.
Notably, Carriker has a prior gun conviction dating back to 2003.
The grief-stricken mother of one of the victims, Marie Merritt, spoke about her 22-year-old son, Lashyd Merritt, who lost his life in the shooting.
She described him as a bright and innocent young man, emphasizing that he was not involved in any violence or criminal activities in the neighborhood.
Lashyd, who worked from home, was taking a break to grab a snack from the corner store when the tragedy unfolded.
Marie Merritt expressed her confusion and sorrow over the senseless violence and the ready availability of guns in the community.
She questioned why such tragedies happen, taking away good people due to the anger of others.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of lives and hopes for measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future, according to Independent.