After Overtures Toward Peace, A Fatal Shooting In Norristown

Norristown, PA -- Early Tuesday evening, Willow Street in Norristown was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Police were on hand for a neighborhood block party of sorts. Free Rita's Water Ice was on hand. Neighbors laughed, smiled, talked with their local patrolmen. Some expressed their concerns to police.

Overall it was a optimistic evening, another benchmark in police solidarity and communication with the community in Norristown.

Then, just hours later, tragedy struck.

A 24-year-old man was chased just blocks away on West Main Street at 11:39 p.m., officials said.

Assailants pursued him into the drive-thru of a local McDonalds, where he was shot dead in the torso, according to police.

On Thursday, police identified the victim as Marquis Johnson, of Coatesville.

A homicide investigation has been launched by the Norristown Police Department and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office Detectives.

Thus far, no suspects have been arrested as of Thursday.

But it was a chilling moment for a community that had, just hours before, made a significant step forward to address violent crime in their neighborhood.

Anyone with any additional information is urged to contact police at 610-270-0977 or the Detectives Bureau at 610-278-3368.