A trail of footprints and blood led to a barricade situation in Philadelphia following a fatal shooting early Monday evening.
Police first responded to a report of a person with a gun at an auto repair shop on the 2700 block of West Cabot Street shortly before 5:30 p.m. When they arrived they found a mechanic in the shop, identified as 45-year-old Earnest Pearson, slumped on the ground between several cars and suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Pearson was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:40 p.m.
Investigators determined an unidentified man entered the repair shop armed with a shotgun and fired twice at close range, striking Pearson in the chest and arm.
The officers then spotted oily footprints, piles of discarded clothing and a trail of blood that led them to a nearby apartment on the 2700 block of Girard Avenue. A barricade situation was declared and SWAT officers surrounded the apartment and searched inside.
At one point during the barricade, SkyForce10 showed a man coming out of the apartment and police placing him in handcuffs. Around 8 p.m. however police announced that person was not the shooter and the suspect is still at large. Investigators say they have the name of a person of interest and are currently searching several known addresses in the area.
"There's always the possibility that our shooter did run inside the property and then exited the property before police were aware," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Pearson grew up in the area and was well-liked in the neighborhood where he was known as "Eli."
