Philadelphia Mass Shooting: 1 In Custody After 3 Dead, 11 Hurt

PHILADELPHIA — One person has been taken into custody after three people were killed and 11 others hurt during a multi-gunman shootout over the weekend on one of Philadelphia busiest and most popular streets. The investigation into the shooting, which unfolded along the 400 block of South Street at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, is ongoing.

Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore confirmed Monday afternoon that Quran Garner is in custody in connection with the shooting.

Garner is charged with various crimes, including aggravated assault and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, Pescatore said. She also said Garner did not have a license to carry a firearm, whereas two others involved in the shooting did.

Another person who is not in custody is wanted on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, simple assault, conspiracy, firearm crimes, and more, authorities said.

Two that did have a firearm license were Gregory Jackson, 34, and Micah Towns, 27, according to Pescatore.

She said Jackson, who was one of the three killed in the shootout, fired at Towns after the two and another person were involved in a physical altercation. According to Pescatore, Towns and the unnamed person were both boxers.

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.

Two others who were killed are Alexis Quinn, 27, and Kris Minners, 22, according to police and the ATF.

Quinn and Minners died at Jefferson Hospital, police said.

Quinn and Minners, as well as many who were injured, are thought to have been innocent bystanders, police said.

The 10 others who were hurt, whose ages range from 17 to 69, suffered various gunshot injuries to their legs, hands, ankles, chests, calves, buttocks and shoulders, according to police.

Additionally, a 49-year-old woman was hurt by shattered glass during the incident, police said.

"While many were out enjoying a beautiful day in the city, horrendous and unthinkable acts happened in a popular local and tourist hangout. These acts claimed the lives of three people and injured 12 others," Outlaw said. "We mourn the lives lost and the dozens of lives affected by this tragedy. These incidents not only affect the individual directly victimized, but victimizes loved ones, families, neighborhoods, and the world. We are working with our local, state, and federal partners to make sure that no lead is lost, that no stone remains unturned, and that these victims find justice."

According to the ATF, Miners was a second-grade resident advisor at Girard College and a member of the Girard College Federation of Teachers.

"Our hearts are heavy today with the passing of Kris Minners, a second-grade boys' resident advisor at Girard College and member of our union, yet another victim of senseless gun violence," the ATF said Sunday. "Our thoughts are with Mr. Minners' family who woke up this morning missing someone at their breakfast table, his colleagues who will be without a friend, and with his students who will be without a mentor and a role model."

As of Sunday night, Philadelphia Police data shows 218 homicides in the city to date.

Local officials called for gun reform Sunday.

"The terrible crimes last night on South Street tell our Pennsylvania legislators it's time for real action," District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a tweet. "Boycott NRA lobbyists, boycott NRA donations, and bring real common sense gun regulation to Pennsylvania. Now."

"Once again, we see lives senselessly lost and those injured in yet another horrendous, brazen and despicable act of gun violence," Mayor Jim Kenney said in a prepared statement. "Until we address the availability and ease of access to firearms, we will always be fighting an uphill battle. As Mayor, I will continue to fight to protect our communities and urge others to advocate for stronger laws that keep guns out of the hands of violent individuals."

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

With reporting by Anna Bybee-Schier