Philadelphia

Gunman Shoots, Kills Teen Boy During Apparent Robbery Attempt in Philadelphia's Mayfair Neighborhood

Friends and family are mourning a teenage boy who was gunned down in Philadelphia's Mayfair section Monday night in an apparent robbery attempt.

"He was kind, he was sweet. If you said anything was wrong he'd try to fix it about you," said Frank Myers, a friend and classmate of 14-year-old Ian Wilsey at Northeast High School.

Ian Wilsey

Wilsey was on the 6200 block of Brous Avenue at 9 p.m. when at least one unidentified gunman opened fire. The teen was struck three times in the chest and torso. Donna Dressler, a Mayfair resident, found him lying on the ground moments after the shooting.

"I was down the basement, I heard 'pop, pop, pop,'" Dressler said. "I quick, ran out the door and I wasn't expecting to see a young kid laying down like that."

Wilsey, who would have turned 15 in a few weeks, was pronounced dead at 9:37 p.m. The teen was not from the immediate area where he was killed but he had an address connected to a home in the neighborhood. [[403572176, C]]

On Tuesday, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said it appeared that Wilsey was the victim of a robbery. Investigators spoke to the 16-year-old Wilsey was with in an attempt to find out if the boy was targeted.

Police believe the suspects in the shooting are two men who were wearing dark-colored clothing. They also say one of the men was wearing a beanie.

No arrests were immediately made. Police continued to investigate Tuesday. Meanwhile Wilsey's classmates, many of whom learned about his death when they arrived at school in the morning, continue to cope with the tragedy.

"I feel terrified," Myers said. "I just feel like there was no point in doing all that. And that was my friend. I've known him since I was in 6th grade."

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