Aaron Whitfield Jr. dies in fatal Northeast Philadelphia shooting

Aaron Whitfield Jr. dies in fatal Northeast Philadelphia shooting
Fatal Northeast Philadelphia shooting death of Aaron Whitfield Jr. – Obituary

Aaron Whitfield Jr., 25, of Northeast Philadelphia, was killed Sunday evening, Jan. 15, in a shooting outside a smoke shop while seated in his tow truck. His 21-year-old girlfriend was also shot and hospitalized with serious leg injuries.

Philadelphia police said the incident occurred around 7:52 p.m. on the 2100 block of Knorr Street near Bustleton Avenue. Whitfield was found inside his tow truck with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 8 p.m. The truck was unhitched and marked for 448 Towing and Recovery.

Investigators reported that Whitfield and his girlfriend had stopped briefly outside the smoke shop when a gray or silver Honda pulled up beside the tow truck. Two occupants of the vehicle fired into the truck before fleeing at high speed. Between 15 and 20 shell casings were recovered from the scene, and bullets struck nearby buildings, including an Asian senior center on the second floor, though no one inside was injured.

Authorities believe the victims may have been specifically targeted, though a motive has not been determined. No arrests have been made, and both suspects remain at large. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and ask anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-8477.