Philadelphia Streets Department worker shot and killed

A Philadelphia Streets Department worker was shot and killed Thursday morning at a corner store in South Philadelphia after he stopped in for a bottle of water before work, police said.

The 21-year-old man, whom police have not identified, was shot in the back during an argument with someone inside the store, said Sgt. Eric Gripp, a Police Department spokesperson.

Around 8:44 a.m., three Streets Department employees, including the victim, arrived at 23rd and Oakford Streets to work in the area, Gripp said. As the crew arrived, one of the three got out of the vehicle and went into a corner store to buy water and other items before the start of his day, Gripp said.

While inside the store, the Streets Department worker got into a fight with another man, who pulled out a gun and shot him in the back, said Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore.

The shooter did not appear to be an employee at the corner store, said Vanore. According to surveillance footage, the fight between the Streets Department worker and the man who shot him happened fairly quickly after the worker entered the store, he said.

The shooter ran out of the store and fled, police said and they are still searching for him.

The victim was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 10:15 a.m., Vanore said. The man had worked at the Streets Department for six months.

“We are disheartened to learn about a fatal altercation involving a Streets Department employee this morning, and our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this terrible incident,” a Streets Department spokesperson said in a statement Thursday. “This situation is being investigated by the police and we thank them for their timely response.”

The city spokesperson did not identify the Streets Department employee that was killed.

As the investigation into the shooting continues, police said they will be reviewing footage from surveillance cameras in the area and talking to witnesses.