Philadelphia, PA — A tragic shooting on Friday, June 28, 2024, has resulted in the death of 59-year-old Gladys Rivera-Perez. The incident occurred in the afternoon at approximately 1:14 PM on the 3400 block of Crystal Street. Officers from the 25th District responded to a radio call reporting a “Person with a Gun” and discovered a chaotic scene.
Upon arrival, officers learned that the shooting victim had been transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children by a private vehicle. Additional officers at the hospital found Rivera-Perez suffering from a gunshot wound that entered her back and exited through her chest and shoulder. She was pronounced dead at 1:44 PM.
The initial investigation revealed that the incident began with a fight between teenage girls on the 3400 block of Tampa Street. During the altercation, a white vehicle arrived, and a man exited the driver’s side with a firearm. As people fled, the man fired shots, chasing the group down to the 600 block of E. Ontario Street. Rivera-Perez, who was on her porch at 34XX Crystal Street, heard the commotion and went inside her residence, followed by the fleeing individuals. The gunman fired two shots into the home, striking Rivera-Perez as she tried to go upstairs.
Information led the police to a vehicle traced to an address on the 1300 block of Saint Vincent. A barricade situation ensued, and the residence was cleared. The owner of the vehicle was questioned by the Homicide Unit and released pending further investigation.
The suspect remains at large and is described as a 39-year-old Hispanic male with a stocky build, long beard, wearing a red shirt and a dark-colored baseball cap. The Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit is actively investigating the case and is seeking any information that could lead to the apprehension of the suspect.