2nd Suspect In Philly Mass Shooting In Custody: Police

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Police Monday night said a second suspect in the South Street mass shooting is in custody.

According to police, the unnamed person was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals.

During a news conference Monday, Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore said the unnamed person was wanted for attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, conspiracy, firearm crimes, and more, authorities said.

Action News and NBC10 report Rashaan Vereen, 34, was taken into custody Monday evening on the 2300 block of Hemberger Street.r

"I’d like to thank our PPD investigators, The ATF, The FBI, and the United States Marshal’s Service for their swift and diligent work in identifying and apprehending two individuals wanted in connection to the horrific shooting incident that occurred Saturday evening on South Street," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a statement. "That being said, there is still more work to do. The PPD will continue to work with all of our law enforcement and community partners to identify and apprehend each and every individual responsible for these heinous crimes."

Authorities Monday said Quran Garner was charged with firearm crimes, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault of law enforcement officers in connection with the Saturday night shooting on bustling South Street.

The shooting occurred on the 400 block of South Street at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Killed in the shooting were Gregory Jackson, 34, Alexis Quinn, 27, and Kris Minners, 22.

Eleven others, ages 17 to 69, suffered various gunshot injuries to their legs, hands, ankles, chests, calves, buttocks and shoulders, according to police.

The shooting stemmed from an altercation between Jackson and another man, Micah Towns.

As Towns was walking down South Street, he passed Jackson and two other men, one being the unnamed person who is wanted, Pescatore said.

Words were exchanged between the men, then Jackson punched Towns in the face, she said.
During the altercation, Jackson pulled out a 9mm handgun, according to authorities.

Towns was then in the middle of the street when Jackson fired at him, but Towns fired back, striking and killing Jackson, authorities said.

Authorities said Towns was on the ground when he fired back at Jackson, in what they said was an act of self-defense. Towns is not being charged, according to Pescatore.

Between Jackson and Towns, 17 shots were fired.

The unnamed wanted person then picked up Jackson's gun and gave it to another person who left the area, according to Pescatore.

That's when Garner began firing in what Pescatore said is believed to be an attempt to help Towns and stop Jackson, although Jackson was already down and it had been 20 to 30 seconds since the initial shots were fired.

When Garner stopped firing, a police officer shot at him, striking him in the hand and forcing him to drop the gun, Pescatore said.

That officer, a 3-and-a-half-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department assigned to the 18th District, has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the Officer Involved Shooting Investigation and Internal Affairs investigations, per department protocol.

The gun was recovered, and Pescatore said it was a ghost gun with an extended magazine.

Garner ran to American Street, then to Fourth and Bainbridge streets, where he told police he was shot during the incident, she said. He was then taken to Thomas Jefferson Hospital, where he remains, Pescatore said.

The unnamed wanted person stayed at the scene to aid Jackson, she said. He later gave his name and address to police, according to Pescatore.

Towns is in the hospital in serious condition, Pescatore said.

Three 9 mm and one .45 caliber guns were recovered in the shooting.

Authorities are working to determine who was struck by which firearm.

Anyone who has information on the shooting is urged to submit a tip by calling or texting 215-686-8477.