A tragic shootout in Germantown on Tuesday night left a 16‑year‑old and a 30‑year‑old dead after a watch sale went horribly wrong.
The Incident
According to Philadelphia police, the shooting began at the 500 block of West Queen Lane around 5:12 p.m. Two men entered a silver Nissan and approached the location where the sale was to take place. The 30‑year‑old, later identified as Tyree Ware, exited the vehicle and began firing. An unidentified person accompanying the 16‑year‑old, Quaneef Lee, returned fire.
Both victims were found with multiple gunshot wounds. They were transported to a hospital where the adult died at 5:34 p.m. and the teen died at 5:42 p.m.
The Investigation
Police say the shooting was linked to an attempted sale of a Rolex watch. Ware had advertised the watch online and drove to the meeting with Lee and another unidentified man. Surveillance footage captured the encounter and shows Ware firing several rounds before being shot multiple times. The video also shows the shooter firing two additional shots after Ware fell to the ground, but it does not show exactly when Lee was shot.
The person who shot Ware remains at large. No details about a fourth participant were available at the time of the report. Police recovered a semi‑automatic handgun from the 30‑year‑old victim who died, but no second handgun was found.
Community Reaction
Cornelio Mezquita, owner of the Queen Lane Mini Market adjacent to the scene, described the incident as a shock. “I’ve been here for 21 years and never happened in this area,” he said. “A very, very quiet area. It’s really sad.”
Homicide Statistics
As of Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, Philadelphia police data show 208 reported homicides in the city so far this year. This figure represents a decline of more than 14% compared with the same period last year, marking the lowest number of homicides in a decade.
How to Help
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215‑686‑TIPS (8477) or anonymously online.
Key Takeaways
- Two people, a 16‑year‑old and a 30‑year‑old, were killed in a shootout after a watch sale went wrong.
- The incident occurred at West Queen Lane around 5:12 p.m. and involved a silver Nissan.
- Police recovered a semi‑automatic handgun from the adult victim but found no second weapon.
The tragedy underscores the dangers of illicit transactions and the ongoing challenge of reducing violent crime in Philadelphia.
