Five killed in Philadelphia mass shooting are identified – live

Police have identified the five victims killed in the Kingsessing mass shooting on Monday night.

• Lashyd Merritt, 20
• Dymir Stanton, 29
• Ralph Moralis, 59
• Daujan Brown, 15
• Joseph Wamah Jr, 31

President Joe Biden said he is grieving for the lives lost and praying for a day when communities will be free from gun violence in a statement issued on Tuesday following several shootings.

“Over the last few days, our nation has once again endured a wave of tragic and senseless shootings in communities across America — from Philadelphia to Fort Worth, Baltimore to Lansing, Wichita to Chicago,” Mr Biden said.

He added: “Today, Jill and I grieve for those who have lost their lives and, as our nation celebrates Independence Day, we pray for the day when our communities will be free from gun violence.”

Mr Biden called on Republican lawmakers in Congres to “come to the table on meaningful, commonsense reforms” to prevent future mass shootings.

“It is within our power to once again ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to require safe storage of guns, to end gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability, and to enact universal background checks,” Mr Biden said.

Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney expressed frustration over the tragic shooting that left five dead and two injured on Monday saying the United States needs to “re-examine” how it approaches gun laws.

“Where does a person like this get an AR-15,” Mr Kenney said to reporters before the city’s Fourth of July celebrations on Tuesday. “Where does a person like this get a semi-automatic handgun? Where does a person like this buy a Kevlar vest?”

“This country needs to re-examine its conscious when it comes to Congress or the state legislature and figure out how we get these guns out of these people’s hands.”

Mr Kenney went on to say that the suspected shooter, an adult male, had a “stockpile of guns in his house” in addition to the AR-15-style riffle and handgun the suspected shooter allegedly carried out the shooting with.

The Philadelphia mayor said once police determine where the suspect retrieved his firearms there should be ramifications.

“That gun dealer or that gun show should be sued until their out of business. It’s just ridiculous. Every family member of someone who died or even injured in this incident should get together with a big law firm and take these gun dealers down,” Mr Kenney added.

Law enforcement in the Philadelphia Police Department says they are unsure what the motive behind the shooting was.

“At this point, all we know is that this person decided to leave their home and target individuals,” police commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a press conference.

Ms Outlaw said as of Monday evening there was no clear connection between the suspected shooter and any of the seven victims.

“Absolutely no idea why this happened,” Ms Outlaw added.

On 4 July 2022, the city of Philadelphia’s Independence Day celebration was marked by horror when a gunman opened fire injuring two police officers.

One year later and another seven people were shot, five of which are dead, after a shooter armed with an AR-15-style rifle opened fire in a Philadelphia neighbourhood.

Last year, Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney expressed frustration over loosening gun laws that make it easier for people to obtain firearms.

“I’m concerned every single day. There’s not an event or a day where I don’t lay on my back and look at the ceiling and worry about stuff,” Mr Kenney said last year.

“I don’t enjoy Fourth of July, I don’t enjoy the Democratic National Convention. I didn’t enjoy the NFL draft. I’m waiting for something bad to happen all the time.”

Mr Kenney’s fears came true once again this Fourth of July weekend.

In a press conference on Monday evening, police commissioner Danielle Outlaw said that the suspect in the Philadelphia shooting was armed with an AR-15, a handgun and was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Ms Outlaw said the suspect, who has been taken into custody, had a scanner and multiple magazines in the vest as well.

The Gun Violence Archive, an online database that tracks the number of mass shootings per month and per year has logged 340 mass shootings in the United States this year.

Including the recent Philadelphia shooting, there have been five mass shootings in July – only four days into the month.

Fred Guttenberg, a gun control activist, advocated for stricter gun restrictions after the shooting in Philadelphia left three people dead.

“Many will wake up today to the reality of another mass shooting with an AR 15,” Mr Guttenberg wrote.

“As a reminder, 20 years ago these weapons were 2% of all guns sold, now they are 25%.”

Mr Guttenberg’s daughter, Jaime, was killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School in 2018.

Since then, he has advocated against gun violence.

“The gun lobby pushed this American Carnage on America. STOP LISTENING TO THE LIARS!!!” He added.

About one in 20 US adults – roughly 16 million Americans – own at least one AR-15-style rifle, according to polling from Ipsos and The Washington Post, which traced the explosion of the popular firearm from its military use into one of the nation’s most popular and deadliest weapons. One of the firearms carried by the Nashville suspect was an AR-style rifle, according to police.

The mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney, tweeted that his “heart is with the loved ones and families” of those involved in the Philadelphia shooting that took place on Monday.

“Horrified by the reports of a shooting in Southwest Philadelphia,” Mr Kenney wrote.

“I send my prayers to the victims.”

He went on to thank law enforcement for their quick response and asked the public with information to submit a tip to the police department.