Police identify man killed in South Philly trying to stop a carjacking

A Philadelphia man is dead after police say he tried to stop three young men from stealing his car Wednesday night.

Police said the victim, identified as Michael Salerno, 50, was attempting to prevent his car from being carjacked around 10:45 p.m. in South Philadelphia. A woman was in the car, but officials declined to identify her, citing the ongoing investigation.

“Preliminary information appears that the motive for this homicide began with a carjacking of a female, and when the owner intervened, he was shot and killed,” Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters Wednesday night.

The episode occurred on Porter Street near South 12th Street. Salerno had just arrived at the location but wasn’t in the car when the attempted carjacking occurred, according to police, who declined to say whether it was near his home.

Salerno was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:53 p.m, and police said the shot that killed him was fired at close range.

“The shell casing was just a few inches from his head,” Small said.

No arrests have been made. Philadelphia Police Lt. Hamilton Marshmond told reporters Thursday afternoon officers have recovered video from numerous surveillance cameras along the block.

“Mr. Salerno is a victim that easily could be you, myself or anyone,” Marshmond said. “We all have a right to be out. We all have a right to enjoy our life, and to have individuals come up armed with guns to take your property and then take your life? That’s not right.”

Marshmond said the three suspects were last seen in a small, red Kia Soul with out-of-state license plates reversing westbound on Porter Street, and continuing to travel southbound on 12th Street. Marshmond described the suspects as young men, appearing to be between the ages of 15 and early 20s, dressed in dark clothing.

Authorities ask that anyone with information call police at 215-686-3334 or 215-686-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.