Stepbrothers Shot in Confrontation With FBI, Police

Two stepbrothers were shot, one fatally, during a joint investigation by the FBI and Philadelphia police.

Philly police say the 21-year-old and 19-year-old suspects were connected to six homicides as well as the shooting of a city cab driver.

When investigators got word on Monday on where the brothers were, FBI agents and Philly police moved into the East Mount Airy neighborhood and called for backup from the SWAT team.

Police and the FBI confronted the two brothers at approximately 1:15 p.m. on the 200 block of E. Sharpnack Street. According to police, the suspects fired at them and law officers fired back.

"They tried to flee at the backdoor," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Dennis Wilson. "Both had guns and shot at the police. Police returned fire."

Wilson says the 21-year-old man was shot and killed in a nearby alley. The 19-year-old suspect, identified as Justin Mackie, was struck five times. He was taken to Einstein Hospital where he is currently in critical condition.

No law enforcement officers were hurt.

Mackie along with another accomplice, were wanted in the robbery and shooting of 53-year-old William Carney III back on June 4. The cab driver and professional jazz vocalist managed to drive himself to the hospital.

"I picked them up," Carney said. "I thought they were regular customers. At they end of the ride they pulled the pistol out on me. It seemed like they really wanted to kill me." 

Carney was struck in the right arm.

"They said I almost died," Carney said. "They said if I hadn't tied the tourniquet on my own arm after the shooting that I would have bled out. So I'm really grateful that didn't happen."

While Carney now suffers from nerve damage in his arm, he says he looks forward to writing music again.

"I've got some other things to right about now," he said. "Other experiences. In some respects it's somewhat inspiring." 

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