Teen Gunned Down Outside Rita's Water Ice

A teenager is dead while two suspects are on the loose after a shooting outside a popular warm weather hangout.

Police say Markquine Pickett, 19, was standing outside Rita’s Water Ice on the 6900 block of Stenton Avenue in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia Tuesday night shortly before 9:30 p.m. Suddenly he was approached by two gunmen who opened fire, according to police.

"I just got off and then I crossed the street," said one employee at Rita's. "Then I heard 'pop, pop.' Then I saw somebody running and jumping into a car. As I passed, I saw a body lying there."

Pickett, who lived on the 5800 block of Master Street, was struck in the chest and face. He was taken to Einstein Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:39 p.m.

"We did find some ballistic evidence which indicates that two separate caliber semi-automatic weapons were fired," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "We found that ballistic evidence just feet away from where we found the body."

Small says the suspects are two men who were wearing either red bandannas or a red hooded sweatshirts. Police also say they were spotted fleeing in a silver-colored Chevy Impala.

"It was last seen going east on Haines from Stenton Avenue," said Small.

The motive for the shooting appeared to be robbery, according to police.

Police are interviewing two witnesses. They are also reviewing surveillance video taken from nearby businesses.

If you have any information on this incident contact Philadelphia Police.

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