Philadelphia Gunman Leaves Disturbing Social Media Messages Before Killing Five People in Holiday Shooting Spree
Philadelphia, PA – A Philadelphia gunman, identified as 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, left “disturbing messages” on social media before carrying out a shooting spree that left five people dead and two children wounded over the Fourth of July weekend, authorities announced on Wednesday. Carriker, who appeared in Philadelphia County Municipal Court for arraignment on Wednesday, faces five counts of murder and other related charges.
The shooting spree, which authorities believe was random, was one of several mass shootings that occurred across the United States during the holiday break. Over the weekend, the Gun Violence Archive recorded a total of 16 mass shootings across the country, resulting in 15 deaths and 94 injuries. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as any incident where four or more people are killed or wounded, excluding the shooter.
While investigators are still working to determine a motive for the Philadelphia shooting, authorities have focused on the “disturbing” posts found on Carriker’s social media accounts. However, the specifics of these posts have not been revealed to the public, and officials declined to comment further on the matter during a press briefing.
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal urged the public to report any extreme or threatening posts they come across on social media, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant in detecting potential threats to communities and children. Carriker, who wore a bullet-proof vest and a ski mask during the attack, had no apparent connection to any of his victims.
District Attorney Larry Krasner revealed that Carriker may have obtained at least one of his weapons illegally. Krasner also highlighted the devastating impact of the shooting, particularly on innocent bystanders who were completely unaware of the danger they were in. Among the victims were Lashyd Merritt, 20, Dymir Stanton, 29, Ralph Moralis, Daujan Brown, 15, and Joseph Wamah, Jr., 31. Two children, aged two and 13, were also wounded.
The shooting spree in Philadelphia was not an isolated incident during the holiday weekend. In Shreveport, Louisiana, four people were killed and seven others injured during an Independence Day celebration. The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and no arrests have been made. Another shooting took place during a block party in Baltimore, resulting in two deaths and 28 injuries. Authorities are still searching for the suspects involved in that incident.
According to criminologist James Alan Fox, gun violence tends to increase during the Fourth of July holiday due to various factors, including large gatherings, alcohol consumption, and the presence of concealed weapons. The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to a surge in mass shootings in the United States, with 351 incidents recorded so far this year. If this trend continues, the country will experience a total of 689 mass shootings in 2023, coming close to the record of 690 set in 2021.
As investigations continue into the Philadelphia shooting and other incidents, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or threats.