Elkins Park Teen Killed 2 Weeks Before His Graduation

ELKINS PARK, PA —An 18-year-old teenager was shot and killed in Philadelphia just two weeks shy of graduating high school.

A GoFundMe page has been launched for Elijah Deloach, 18, who was shot and killed in Philadelphia last week.

Angela Yanni of Glenside organized the fundraiser on behalf of Tina Pennington.

"In this time of devastating heartbreak, our family is asking anyone who can, to please donate," Yanni states. "Due to gun violence and Elijah's bravery, he was taken from us unexpectedly, two weeks before his high school graduation."

Yanni said that Deloach was trying to de-escalate a domestic abuse situation and help the victim get out safe, but was tragically being shot in the process.

"He was 18 years old. A son-brother-nephew-cousin-grandchild and a heroic young man," she said.

The GoFundMe page has hit its $10,000 goal as of Thursday afternoon.

The incident occurred at about 10:14 p.m. on the 7900 block of Henry Avenue in Roxborough last Tuesday, police said.

According to police, two men and two women went to the area and confronted a 23-year-old resident, later identified as Kione Gary.

Gary, who remained on location, fired a single shot at Deloach before jumping from a fourth-floor balcony, police said.

Deloach was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at Roxborough Hospital shortly after midnight Wednesday, police said.