🌱 Kids Shot In Strawberry Mansion + Meek Pays Bail + Police Funeral

Hello and happy Friday! I'm back in your inbox this morning with all the most important things happening locally. Today's issue includes:

• Children, teenagers and adults were shot in a schoolyard in Strawberry Mansion.
• Rapper Meek Mill paid the bail for teenagers accused of beating an elderly man to death.
• Hundreds of law enforcement officers attended the viewing of Temple University Police Officer Christopher Fitzpatrick.

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But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny; windy, cooler. High: 49 Low: 24.

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Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. In a horrific mass shooting, six people, including a 2-year-old girl and several teenagers were in the schoolyard outside the James G. Blaine School along the 3100 block of West Norris Street when gunmen opened fire. Police are looking for three men in a silver Hyundai Elantra, that is also being investigated in a previous shooting in the area. A 15-year-old boy is in critical condition and all gunshot victims were rushed to area hospitals. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
2. Rapper Meek Mill paid the bail for a 14-year-old murder suspect in a case that shocked Philadelphia and the victims family feels blindsided. In June 2022, James Lambert, 73, was walking on the 2100 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue around 3 a.m. when he was attacked and fatally beaten by a group of teens . Known in the community as Mr. Lambie, the teens allegedly beat him with an orange traffic cone and left him to die on the street. (FOX 29 Philadelphia)
3. Today, Temple University Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald is laid to rest after he was killed in the line of duty. His funeral Mass will be in Center City at the Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul and is expected to draw thousands of law enforcement officers as well as family, friends and citizens to honor and memorialize the hero who lives behind five children. There will be road closures and a route is published for the public to watch the funeral procession.(cbsnews.com)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Citizens Now Accepting Applications for Champions in Action Program (9:00 AM)
• 2023 Philly Home + Garden Show (10:00 AM)
• Arts Access TV - Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (6:00 PM)
• LGBTQ+ Speed Friending (7:00 PM)
• Into the Woods - Tomlinson Theater of Temple (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Did you know we have a Miss Philadelphia? Meet the awesome Jackie Means. (CBS Philly)
• Yeah, I showed my Eagles fandom by decorating my front window with green streamers on Super Bowl Sunday, but this guy actually got inked and got an Eagles Super Bowl victory tattoo. Wanna chip in for his laser removal? No need, he got it fixed! (CBS Philly)
• No need for pizza and fish sticks! Go and have your cheesesteak on St. Patrick's Day! This year finds March 17 fall on a Friday in Lent! But we've been blessed. (Philadelphia Patch)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— Patty-Pat Kozlowski

About me: Patty-Pat Kozlowski has been writing community news and Philly-cenric Op/Eds for over 20 years. A Jill of all trades she's been a stand-up comedian, chef, DJ, newspaper editor, food trucker and Parks Director for Philadelphia Parks & Rec as well as a community relations/legislative aide for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Philadelphia Patch newsletter? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com