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.
Norfolk, Virginia — Authorities have identified the instructor killed during Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer who had returned to the university to serve as an instructor with its Army ROTC program.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. on the university’s campus in Norfolk. Police responded after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside Constant Hall.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect—identified by authorities as Mohammed Jalloh—entered the building and walked through the hallway before approaching a classroom where an Army ROTC session was underway.
The suspect reportedly asked individuals inside whether he had arrived at an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the class instructor.
Voorhees University confirmed in a public Facebook statement that the victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, noting the tragedy has personal ties to the institution.
“This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin,” the university wrote in its statement. “We lift Dr. Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss.”
Shah was a native of Staunton and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist.
In 2005, he enrolled at Old Dominion University, where he later received his Army commission in 2007. Shah graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science.
Following his commissioning, Shah served extensively in Army aviation. According to his alumni profile at ODU, he earned the Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings, logging more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft and accumulating over 600 combat flight hours during his service.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah pursued advanced education, earning an MBA from University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from University of Kansas.
Throughout his military career, Shah received numerous awards and distinctions. Among them were the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
His alumni biography also described him as a strong advocate for minority and veteran business education, highlighting his involvement in initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. In addition to his professional work, Shah volunteered his time to assist underserved communities.
Shah returned to his alma mater in summer 2022 to serve as an instructor and help lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. In that role, he mentored and trained students pursuing military leadership careers.
University officials and members of the campus community have expressed deep sorrow over his death, remembering Shah as a dedicated officer, educator, and mentor whose service and leadership had a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s motive, and the investigation remains active.