The suspect accused of gunning down five people in a mass killing on Monday is reportedly a Black Lives Matter activist and cross-dresser....
The suspect accused of gunning down five people in a mass killing on Monday is reportedly a Black Lives Matter activist and cross-dresser.
What happened?
Shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Monday, the killer opened fire on a street in a southwest Philadelphia neighborhood, killing five people and injuring two others.
The killer allegedly used an AR-15-style weapon and a handgun, wore body armor and a ski mask, and targeted victims randomly. Police officers chased and cornered the suspect, taking the individual into custody without issue.
What about the suspect?
The suspect, a 40-year-old male, posted pictures of himself to social media wearing women's clothing just three months ago, according to the New York Post. The individual also repeatedly posted in support of Black Lives Matter.
It's not exactly clear how the suspect "identifies," but law enforcement is using "they/them" pronouns to refer to the suspect. CNN reported:
The Philadelphia district attorney’s office is using they/them pronouns to refer to the suspect based on “information we have at this time,” a spokesperson for the office told CNN. Philadelphia officials previously used he/him pronouns for the suspect during a Tuesday news conference.
The suspect faces more than 30 criminal charges, including five counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault, 10 counts of recklessly endangering another person, and four counts of weapons charges.
City officials, including Mayor Jim Kenney (D) and District Attorney Larry Krasner (D), decried supposedly lax gun laws the day after the mass killing. Krasner, moreover, specifically attacked Republicans, claiming they are "against" the "safety" of citizens because they support Second Amendment rights.
It's not clear what laws would have prevented Monday's atrocity. Neither Krasner nor Kenney offered suggestions, though Krasner suggested that Pennsylvania should adopt strict gun control laws similar to those in neighboring New Jersey.
The suspect has a criminal history that includes a 2003 arrest for possession of a weapon without a license, carrying a firearm in public, and drug possession, the Post reported. The individual later pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm without a license, receiving three years' probation, while the other charges were dropped.
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