Teen Dies, Likely a Case of Mistaken Identity: Cops

16-year-old dies after being shot multiple times outside West Philly store

Police say an innocent teenage boy died Thursday morning after being shot in what police say could be a case of mistaken identity.

The shooting happened shortly after 9 Wednesday night at the intersection of 62nd and Callowhill Streets.

Yasin Harvey, 16, and some friends were running an errand for a sick family member and walking out a corner store when a car pulled up and fired numerous shots, police said.

The University City High School freshman was struck four times. He was taken in critical condition to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He died Thursday morning at the hospital, police said.

Investigators say the shooting was likely a case of mistaken identity -- that Harvey wasn't the target.

"We don't believe he was an intended target," Philadelphia Police Capt. James Clark told NBC10. "We believe possibly someone in the group was but right now we believe he was an innocent victim."

Police were looking at surveillance tape from the store. Investigators were also trying to find out if a shooting at nearby 61st and Vine that left another teen injured was in any way related.

No arrests were made as of 4 p.m. Thursday.

Harvey was remembered as a promising student by the principal at University City High School.


Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBC10.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, our mobile site and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our breaking news newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)

Contact Us