Philadelphia

Arrest Made in Shooting Outside Penn's Landing Club

An arrest has been made in a shooting near a Penn's Landing bar that left a 24-year-old man dead.

Xavier Braswell, 23, of Burlington, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with murder and other related offenses.

Philadelphia Police initially responded to the area of Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street for the report of a fight outside Cavanaugh's River Deck late Sunday night. As officers arrived, they heard gunshots around 11:45 p.m., said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

"We know at least nine shots were fired... some just inches from where he victim collapsed," said Small.

Police said the victim, identified as 24-year-old Shelton Merritt of Lawnside, New Jersey, was shot in the head and torso. The man appeared to be getting into the rear door of sport utility vehicle at the time, said investigators. Merritt was taken to Hahnemann Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:07 a.m.

Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument. They also believe Merritt was involved in an altercation at Cavanaugh's prior to the shooting. After the shooting, three men ran into the parking lot of Cavanaugh's, said investigators. The nightclub had earlier hosted a "Day Break" party sponsored by radio station Power 99 and McDonald's.

A witness pointed officers toward three men saying, "They just shot my boy," said police.

Officers were able to take the three suspects into custody after they were seen running from the scene. One of the suspects threw a gun into the Delaware River, said police. Marine officers searched the water for it.

Several bars in the area -- popular for its waterfront nightclubs -- were open at the time, said Small.

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