Carjackers Kill 3 Children, Injure 3 Pedestrians in Philadelphia
Mitch de Leon | | Jul 25, 2014 11:57 PM EDT |
Three young siblings were killed when a white Toyota 4Runner, which was stolen earlier by two unidentified men, slammed on the corner of Germantown and Allegheny Avenues around 11:15 a.m. on Friday.
The crash also injured the children's mother and family friend, who were both watching the fruit cart located at the said sidewalk. The children were said to be helping their mother sell fruits to raise funds for their church when the tragic incident occurred.
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Philadelphia Police Homicide Captain James Clark said that the vehicle blew a tire and jumped the curb, which resulted in the SUV plowing into the group and skidding across a grassy lot. The car then rammed head-on into a tree.
In an attempt to save the children's lives, the 15-year-old daughter was rushed to Temple University Hospital while the 7-year-old son was brought to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
Both children died a short time after arriving in the hospitals despite doctors' efforts. The family's 10-year-old son was the first to pass on, immediately succumbing to death on the street where the tragedy took place.
"I've been in the homicide unit for six years and this is one of the saddest cases I've come across," Clark told reporters.
"You have three innocent children who had the rest of their lives in front of them that were taken in this fashion. It's very sad," he added.
The other two victims, the children's 34-year-old mother and 69-year-old family friend, Thelma Brown, were both critically injured. The mother is said to be in an extremely critical condition.
The sixth victim is also in critical, but stable state. Reports reveal that the woman was the owner of the carjacked vehicle. She was said to be inside the SUV when it crashed.
According to Clark, the SUV owner is a real estate agent. She had just completed giving a house tour near 6th and Cumberland Streets, which was approximately a mile away from the crash scene, when her vehicle was carjacked at gunpoint.
She was initially allowed to drive the SUV, but the suspects later forced her into the backseat to take control of the vehicle.
Investigators believe that the suspects were travelling at a very high rate of speed, which subsequently blew the tire.
The suspects managed to escape on foot before the authorities arrived.
Descriptions for both men remain unclear, but investigators say that one was wearing a white T-shirt and basketball shorts while the other had on an orange shirt and basketball shorts. Police warn that both suspects are armed with guns.
Hospital emergency rooms and other medical facilities within the area were also alerted because police believe that the suspects were injured from the crash.
Homicide detectives are likewise gathering surveillance video footage from said areas, as well as searching for any identifying photos of the suspects. In addition, an active manhunt has already been ordered.
A reward of $100,000 is offered to anyone who can provide relevant information, which may lead to the arrest and conviction of both suspects.
The city initially offered $20,000, but the passing of every child increased the amount as additional donors contributed.
The Fraternal Order of Police also chipped in $10,000 to the reward, which will only be given when the suspects will be in police custody by noon Saturday.
TagsPhiladelphia carjackers, children killed in philadelphia carjack
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