PHILADELPHIA, PA – A late-night homicide victim was shot answering his own front door as family members were present in the home, according to findings from an investigation in Northeast Philadelphia.
On Thursday, shortly before 11:30 p.m., police were summoned to investigate an alleged case of a gunman and related gunshots at the Regency Townhomes on the 3500 block of Woodhaven Avenue. On their arrival, the officers and medical personnel discovered Bilal Henry, aged 33, lying on the floor a few feet from his front door – having suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and torso. Henry lost his life, being pronounced dead at 11:37 p.m.
The investigation revealed numerous spent shell casings both inside and outside the townhome, indicating about 13 gunshots fired from one or more semi-automatic guns, as reported by Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The investigators noted that during the incident, Henry’s children, all under 10 years of age, were together with their mother inside the house. Reportedly, after a knock on the door, multiple gunshots were heard when Henry went to answer the door. Luckily, all family members were unscathed in the shooting.
The incident is believed to be a home invasion, as hypothesized by the investigators. Witnesses claimed to have spotted a duo in dark clothing fleeing the crime scene on foot, possibly escaping in a white vehicle.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police are scrutinizing numerous private surveillance footage available from properties in the immediate vicinity.
As of Thursday night, Philadelphia has recorded 404 reported homicides, showing a 21 percent decrease compared to the same time the previous year. The figure, however, signals one of the deadliest counts since 2007.