Murder, More Charges Filed In Fatal 2-Year-Old Girl Shooting

PHILADELPHIA — A man has been arrested in connection with the shooting that left a 2-year-old girl dead and two adults hurt in Philadelphia, authorities said.

A man was taken into custody Tuesday night in Chester, Delaware County, Philadelphia Police said.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's office said that man is Freddie Perez, 30, of Chester.

Perez is facing nine counts of attempted murder, and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, the DA's office said.

He is accused of shooting and killing Nicolette Rivera, 2, and her 24-year-old mother, as well as a 33-year-old man who was cleaning a residence on the 3300 block of North Water Street at about 3:31 p.m. on Oct. 20.

A second suspect has been taken into custody, according to police and the DA's office.

Police said the Rivera, her mother, and a man hired to clean their residence were hit by bullets fired through the home's window and front door.

Police said bullet casings found at the scene were that of an assault rifle, likely an AK-47 or SKS rifle.

Investigators found the same casings at the scene of a shooting on the 400 block of East Clearfield Avenue that occurred about right minutes before the Water Street shooting.

In the Clearfield shooting, two men fired rounds from a rifle and a .40 caliber handgun at an SUV. Police said no one was injured in that shooting.

Police said the Water Street house was targeted but its unclear why.