Philadelphia

17 Minutes After Midnight, Philly Sees Its First Homicide of 2019

Anibal DeJesus became the first homicide victim of 2019 in Philadelphia

A man was shot in the head and died in Philadelphia's Kensington's neighborhood 17 minutes after midnight on New Year's Day.

The homicide came on the heels of the deadliest year in a decade for Philadelphia. In 2018, there were 353 slayings in the city, the most for a calendar year since 2007.

Anibal DeJesus, of North Mutter Street, was shot multiple times in the head, face and chest along the 3200 block of Tampa Street Tuesday. Medics pronounced him dead at 12:17 a.m.

There was no motive that was immediately apparent, nor was there a description of a suspect.

Police said they will be reviewing surveillance video from the area to try to find any clues. But they're also asking the public for any help; anyone with information should call police at 215-686-TIPS.

The city's police chief has said that illegal drugs are fueling the deaths.

Meanwhile, Camden said it had seen only 22 homicides in 2018 -- a dramatic low, given that the annual murder count there is usually closer to 50. 

The last time the city saw under 23 homicides was 1985, a county spokesman said.

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