Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Man Wanted For Killing Off-Duty Police Officer In Philadelphia: Authorities

Coming up: Ukrainian Folk Festival 2026 on the Philadelphia Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
Wednesday August 19th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Philadelphia! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Police seek tips in killing of off-duty Philadelphia officer
  • Police search for masked man who chased woman near City Hall
  • How one South Philly school is tackling absenteeism before day one

Also on today's calendar: Ukrainian Folk Festival 2026 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 89 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Humid with a few showers, temps: high: 82, low: 69.
  • Friday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 82 and low of 69 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Man Wanted For Killing Off-Duty Police Officer In Philadelphia: Authorities (patch.com) — Residents in Southwest Philadelphia are being urged to help police identify a suspect accused of fatally shooting off-duty Officer Alhassane Barry outside a lounge on Elmwood Avenue. Authorities released detailed photos and a description of the man, and are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction, asking anyone with tips to contact the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit or submit an anonymous tip.
   

2. Masked Suspect Chases Woman Through Philadelphia's Center City: Police (patch.com) — Early-morning commuters near Philadelphia City Hall are being warned after a masked suspect chased a woman into the street, causing her to fall and get hurt, before fleeing toward Suburban Station. Police released surveillance footage and a detailed description of the Halloween-mask-wearing suspect, urging anyone who recognizes him or has information to contact the Central Detective Division or call 911.
   

3. Fanny Jackson Coppin School Staff Focus on Attendance, Mental Health Before First Bell (southphillyreview.com) — Staff at Fanny Jackson Coppin School in South Philadelphia are spending the final days before opening focused on boosting attendance and supporting students' mental health, not just cleaning classrooms. Counselors are planning proactive responses to anxiety and social media pressures, while teachers across Philadelphia are coordinating lessons, seeking donations, and chasing grants. Their shared goal is to re-engage families and create welcoming, stable classrooms after years of disrupted learning.
   

4. How Philadelphia Police Cut Hiring From Months To Weeks (lawenforcementtoday.com) — Philadelphia's police department has overhauled its hiring process with new Guardian software, cutting academy entry times from many months to about 54 business days and helping rebuild depleted ranks. With staffing still around 83% of full strength, officials say the faster, more data-driven system is boosting recruitment while maintaining standards and screening out problematic applicants.
   

5. One Dead, Two Others Shot in Triple Shooting in Philadelphia (shorenewsnetwork.com) — A deadly triple shooting on Ridge Avenue in North Philadelphia left one person dead and two others injured Tuesday afternoon, and homicide detectives are still searching for suspects. Police say the victims were rushed to Temple University Hospital, with one in critical and another in stable condition. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit or submit an anonymous tip.
   

📸 Around Philadelphia

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Philadelphia

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Philadelphia Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Philadelphia PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Comcast Launches Xfinity Shield, Redefining Intelligent Home Protection —Alexandra Smith Read on Patch
  • Local Fairmount Artist launches new Print Shop —CRAIG STOVER Read on Patch
  • Stray Mother and baby looking for a home.
    Both born outside. Both very sweet. Mother is spayed and vaxxed. Very social and handles well. Female baby is 16 weeks. We are trying to reduce the… (Nextdoor East Wynnefield)
  • Is anyone missing this sweet boy?
    He's been in the alleyway between the 1600 block of Iseminger and 13th Street. He came in my yard today, was very hungry, and clearly missing his… (Nextdoor W. East Passyunk Crossing)
  • Campus Apartments, LLC posted a job opening for Porter in Philadelphia. Apply here.
  • Whole Foods Market, Inc. posted a job opening for Overnight Grocery Team Member (Stocker, Inventory, Receiving) - Part Time in Philadelphia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Philadelphia here.

Ok Philadelphia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Philadelphia