A 43-year-old Black man was shot multiple times and killed in the parking lot of a mosque in North Philly Tuesday, according to police.
The shooting happened around 5 p.m. in the 1500 block of Germantown Avenue where the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society is located.
The victim, identified as Raheem Jefferson, was taken to Temple University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and died, the Philadelphia Police Department said.
Chief Inspector Scott Small told CBS News that Jefferson was shot at least one time in the head “execution style.”
Small added at least 17 shots were fired from a large caliber semi-automatic weapon.
Currently, police said no arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered from the scene.
There is a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on X about the shooting Tuesday night.
“Violence outside of a house of worship is deeply painful and traumatizing for those simply showing up to worship and practice their faith,” he wrote. “As an investigation into this killing proceeds, I’m praying for Philadelphia’s Al-Aqsa Islamic Society community, a place I’ve been several times, and hoping they find peace in each other and in their faith.”
Man killed in ‘execution-style’ shooting outside North Philly mosque (KYW via CNN Newsource)
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations reacted to the shooting and said they were “shocked and concerned by this tragic incident.”
“We are shocked and concerned by this tragic incident. Al-Aqsa Islamic Society mosque has a beautiful and dedicated community with a long history at its location in Kensington.”
