Police search for people of interest in deadly shooting near Roxborough HS

Murder charges have been filed against a 16-year-old suspect accused in the deadly shooting of a 14-year-old football player near Roxborough High School last week. Philadelphia Police said during a news conference Tuesday that the teenager should be considered armed and dangerous.

The District Attorney’s Office has approved charges for murder, four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of simple assault, and four counts of reckless endangerment.

In addition to the 16-year-old, police revealed Tuesday that they are looking for seven other people that could be connected to the crime, but more details on them were not released.

Investigators said they recovered a gray Chevrolet Impala earlier in the week that is believed to have been used to shuttle suspects back and forth to the Ford Explorer used in the shooting last week.

“This was definitely a well-orchestrated shooting,” Homicide Unit Commanding Officer Capt. Jason Smith said. “It really was. These individuals were being very careful to not leave their identifiers.”

He said the motive for the shooting is still unclear and investigators are looking into whether or not the suspects have been connected to other shootings in the city recently. So far, no arrests have been made.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw says the department is “not messing around” when it comes to the investigation.

“We’re tired of our children being shot,” Outlaw said. “We’re tired of our children being victimized, and we’re not sitting on our hands waiting for pieces of evidence to fall out of the sky.”

Outlaw also urged people with information to come forward.

“Turn yourselves in. We know who you are. You are just delaying the inevitable. All you are doing by hiding is continuing to victimize the family that you already harmed.”

Last Tuesday, five shooters fired more than 60 rounds towards five teenagers leaving a football scrimmage at Roxborough High School. The shooting left 14-year-old Nicholas Elizalde dead.

Police are working with the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals on the case. No timetable was given on when more details in the investigation could be released.

Two days following the shooting, hundreds gathered at Gorgas Park right next to the school for a prayer vigil.