Robert K. Lawson reported
At a Glance
- A 36-year-old man was shot in the forearm late Sunday on the 200 block of West Mentor Street
- Officers found the victim at 11:18 p.m.; he is in stable condition at a nearby hospital
- Investigators recovered a single spent shell casing at the scene
- Why it matters: Gunfire in the densely populated Logan neighborhood heightens safety concerns for residents already living with elevated crime rates
A quiet Sunday night on West Mentor Street turned violent when gunfire rang out just after 11 p.m., leaving a man wounded and neighbors on edge.
Officers Respond to Shooting Call
Patrol cars converged on the 200 block of West Mentor Street in Philadelphia’s Logan section at 11:18 p.m., according to police radio logs reviewed by News Of Philadelphia. Officers found a 36-year-old male lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to his forearm. The victim, conscious and alert, told officers he heard shots and felt a sharp pain before realizing he had been hit.
Paramedics arrived within minutes, applied a tourniquet to control bleeding, and transported the man to a nearby trauma center. Hospital officials listed him in stable condition early Monday morning. Detectives cordoned off the block with yellow tape, positioning evidence markers every few feet along the normally quiet residential street.
Minimal Physical Evidence Recovered
The crime scene yielded only one key piece of physical evidence: a single spent bullet shell lying near a parked sedan. No bullet fragments, blood trail, or additional casings were discovered despite a door-to-door canvas that lasted until 2 a.m. Surveillance cameras on two nearby rowhomes were either pointed away from the scene or not recording, investigators told News Of Philadelphia.
Neighbors reported hearing a single “pop” followed by silence.
> “It didn’t even sound like a gunshot-more like a firecracker,” said one resident who asked not to be identified. “Next thing I know, the whole block is lit up with flashing lights.”
No Suspect Description Released
Police have not identified a suspect or provided a motive. Descriptions of a possible getaway vehicle or shooter have not been circulated. The victim, according to police sources, has no prior arrests and is cooperating with detectives. Investigators have not ruled out any scenario, including robbery, mistaken identity, or an earlier dispute that may have escalated.
Authorities urge anyone who was in the area between 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. to come forward.
Logan Neighborhood on Edge
West Mentor Street sits in the heart of the 35th Police District, where shootings have declined 12% year-to-date compared with 2023, yet violent incidents still rattle residents. Monday morning, children stepped around shattered glass and dried blood on the pavement as they headed to the nearby elementary school.
Community leaders voiced frustration over the lack of sustained patrols after midnight.
> “One bullet is one too many,” said Gregory Johnson, block captain for the 200 block. “We need consistent presence, not just when something happens.”
Investigation Continues
The shooting remains under active investigation. Detectives are reviewing private security footage from businesses on Broad Street, one block west, and canvassing hospitals for anyone else arriving with unexplained injuries. The recovered shell has been sent to the forensics lab for ballistic comparison testing; results are expected within 72 hours.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Shooting Investigation Group at 215-686-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous, and a $10,000 reward is posted for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.
News Of Philadelphia will update this story as additional details emerge.
