Crime
12-year-old shot and killed while filming music video in West Oak Lane home
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A tragic incident unfolded in Northwest Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, May 11, when a 12-year-old boy was fatally shot while filming a music video, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Authorities responded around 12:30 p.m. to reports of a person with a gun in the 1500 block of East Pastorius Street.
Upon arrival, officers located a juvenile male inside a residence suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:51 p.m.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was reportedly filming a music video with two other juveniles—a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old—at the time of the shooting.
Investigators say it remains unclear which teen discharged the firearm or whether the shooting was accidental or intentional.
Authorities have confirmed that the music video being filmed at the time of the incident was captured on video and is considered a key piece of evidence in the investigation.
However, police say a search warrant is required before the footage can be officially reviewed.
“We are in possession of that video,” said Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace. “But we must follow proper legal procedures to access and review the content.”
In addition to the firearm used in the shooting, police recovered several other items from the scene, including a BB gun.
Investigators are working to determine how the live firearm came to be present in the home and whether it was legally owned or secured.
Family members who were inside the residence at the time of the incident are being interviewed by detectives.
Police emphasized that the investigation is active and ongoing.
Neighbors expressed deep shock and sorrow, particularly given the young age of the victim and the timing of the tragedy just before Mother’s Day.
“The videos today are just so violent,” said neighbor Deborah Hankins. “These kids—I don’t understand. I was raised to know you don’t play with guns.”
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Philadelphia Police Department’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). Tips can be submitted anonymously.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”