Last Philly Killing of 2013 Said to Be Bystander

Philadelphia's last homicide victim of 2013 was an 18-year-old high school basketball star who friends say stayed out of trouble.

The Philadelphia Daily News reports the Benjamin Franklin Electrons played their final game of the regular season Thursday and are dedicating their season to Quahdir Devine.

Police say Devine was the city's 247th homicide victim of 2013 when he was shot to death in front of a north Philadelphia doughnut shop on New Year's Eve.

Police are reporting no suspects or motive. Dustin Hardy-Moore, the Electrons' assistant coach, says Devine was an "innocent bystander" who focused on playing basketball and going to school, and never got into trouble.

"All he wanted to do was play basketball and go to school," Devine told the paper. "He never got into any drama or trouble. He was known for laughing, smiling, telling jokes and playing basketball."

Devine wasn't playing this season, because as a second-year senior he was ineligible under Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association rules.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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