The first of five people killed by a mass shooter in Philadelphia last week was likely fatally shot about 44 hours before the others, authorities said Sunday.
The Philadelphia Police Department said in a statement that its investigation, with the help of the local medical examiner’s office, determined that 31-year-old Joseph Wamah Jr. was murdered on July 2.
On the night of July 3, police say, Wamah murder suspect Kimbrady Carriker, 40, opened fire indiscriminately in a southwest Center City neighborhood.
Those killed in that incident were identified as Lashyd Merritt, 20; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; and Daujan Brown, 15. Children ages 2 and 13 were injured and others were attacked but not hit, authorities said.
Authorities said the gunman was wearing a balaclava and ballistic vest and was carrying an unmarked and unregistered ghost handgun, several ammunition magazines and an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle.
The suspect, held without bail, has been charged with five counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon without a license and carrying a firearm in public.
He was being represented by a public defender. The Philadelphia Advocacy Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest police statement.
Wamah was not known as a victim until after the shooting ended on July 3. It was not clear if he and the suspect knew each other; Police believe the other victims were on streets and sidewalks and were shot at random.
A senior law enforcement source briefed on the investigation said detectives believe Carriker is mentally ill. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has said his office is likely to seek expert examinations of the defendant.
Police said Sunday that someone reported gunshots July 2 in the area of Wamah’s residence, but officers were dispatched to the wrong location, more than 3 miles north.
A 911 caller reported gunshots in the area of 1600 S. 56th St. around 2 a.m., police said. Officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of North 56th Street and reported no evidence of a shooting, they said.
The matter is part of the investigation, police said.
In a statement Sunday, Krasner said: «The grieving family of the deceased has been informed of this new information, and I cannot express my grief enough.»
However, he praised the police for trying to get to the bottom of Wamah’s death.
“Law enforcement must always act with integrity and follow the facts wherever they lead,” he said.
Carriker is expected to return to court on July 24.
Yasmeen Persaud and tom winter contributed.