Rally for Peace Held Near Slain Architect's Home

A rally for peace was held on Sunday near the home of an architect who was shot and killed in front of her mother earlier this year.

Investigators are still searching for the men responsible for shooting and killing 26-year-old Amber Long while she and her mother, Stephanie Long, were walking to their car along the 900 block of Front Street in the city's Northern Liberties neighborhood on Jan. 19.

"It seems like the trail has gone cold," said Alan Hoffman, one of Amber's professors at Philadelphia University, who was in South Philly Saturday for the rally. "But hopefully it is just being kept under wraps."

Surveillance video shows two men grab the women's purses as they were returning to Amber's car. One of the suspects shot Amber when she hesitated to give up her purse. Police rushed her to Hahnemann Hospital, where she died about 45 minutes later.

Police have turned their attention to the getaway car, a dark-colored Chevy Impala. Surveillance footage shows the vehicle racing down Girard Avenue towards Center City, but investigators are trying to track down more video of the car to provide additional clues.

As the search for the gunmen continues, neighbors, churches and community groups, like the faith-based Heeding God's Call, gathered near Long’s home on Ritner and Bouvier streets on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. to speak out against gun violence and the sale of illegal weapons.

The participants sang and prayed, expressing their grief for Long.

If you have any information on Long’s death, please call the homicide detectives on the case at 215-686-3334.

A reward for information leading to an arrest has surpassed $30,000.

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