Suspect in Philadelphia mass shooting killed first victim nearly 2 days before rampage, official says

A suspected gunman who is facing murder charges after a deadly mass shooting in Philadelphia killed his first victim nearly two days before the apparently random rampage, officials said.

Police initially said Kimbrady Carriker, 40, armed himself with an AR-style rifle, a pistol, a bulletproof vest, extra magazines and a police scanner before he fatally shot five men across eight Philadelphia blocks on July 3. But District Attorney Larry Krasner said Sunday new information suggests Carriker killed Joseph Wamah Jr., 31, about 44 hours before the mass killing.

"The grieving family of the deceased has been briefed on this new information, and I cannot express enough the sorrow I feel − and that surely all the officers and detectives working on this investigation must feel − that these developments may be confusing and re-traumatizing for Mr. Wamah’s loved ones," Krasner said in a statement. "This new information, however, has not changed the number or type of charges we have filed against defendant Carriker: the Commonwealth alleges that he is responsible for the death of Mr. Wamah on July 2, 2023."

What happened during the shooting?

Philadelphia police said in a statement the department received a 911 call about gunshots in the area of South 56th Street at approximately 2 a.m. on July 2, about an hour and a half after officials believe Wamah was killed. But officers were dispatched to a block of North 56th Street, police said.

"Because this call was entered as 1600 North 56th Street, Philadelphia Police Radio was unable to immediately identify any calls for reports of gunshots in the area of 1600 South 56th Street," police said in a statement.

Wamah's body wasn't found until about 48 hours after his death, according to the district attorney's office.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw previously said officers responded to gunshots in the Kingsessing section of southwest Philadelphia on July 3 around 8:30 p.m. Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom also said Carriker began "shooting aimlessly" at occupied vehicles and pedestrians.

The others killed in the shooting were Daujan Brown, 15; Lashyd Merritt, 20; Ralph Moralis, 59; and Dymir Stanton, 29.

What is the suspect charged with?

Carriker was arraigned Wednesday on five counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession without a license and carrying firearms in public, prosecutors said.

He has been detained without bail and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 24, according to the district attorney's office.

Contributing: Jorge L. Ortiz, Thao Nguyen and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Philadelphia mass shooting: Victim killed 2 days before rampage