Gunmen kill man who answered door while family was upstairs, police say

A man who answered his door was shot and killed by gunmen inside a Northeast Philadelphia townhome while his family members were inside, investigators said.

On Thursday shortly before 11:30 p.m., police responded to the Regency Townhomes on the 3500 block of Woodhaven Avenue for several reports of a person with a gun and gunshots.

When police and medics arrived, they found 33-year-old Bilal Henry on the floor inside a townhome a few feet from the front door. Henry was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso and was pronounced dead at 11:37 p.m.

Investigators also found several spent shell casings both outside and inside the townhome. In all, at least 13 shots were fired from a semiautomatic weapon or weapons, according to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

“So clearly the shooters were firing from outside and then went inside and fired multiple shots, striking this victim in the head and torso,” Small said.

Investigators said Henry's children, all under the age of 10, as well as their mother, were inside the home at the time of the shooting. The family members told police they heard a knock at the door and then multiple gunshots when Henry went to answer it.

None of the children nor their mother were injured in the shooting, according to investigators.

Henry was a staff member for the Philadelphia School District, officials said.

"We are heartbroken to confirm the passing of a Mayfair staff member, whose life was tragically lost yesterday as a result of gun violence that is plaguing our city. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of "Mr. B.", as he was known to the Mayfair community," a spokesperson for the district said in a statement.

The district plans to have counseling available for the community at the start of the new year.

"To know that Mr. Henry was gunned down answering the door at his own home, while his wife and children were present is just gut-wrenching. There are no words that could convey comfort during this time of sorrow, but on behalf of the PFT, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Henry's family, including his wife Sonya and their children, as well as to the entire Mayfair Elementary community. At Mayfair, 'Mr. B.' was beloved and had terrific relationships with students and staff. The depth of this loss is immeasurable," Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry T. Jordan said in a statement.

Investigators believe the incident was a home invasion. Witnesses told police they saw two men in dark colored clothing fleeing the scene on foot and possibly getting into a white vehicle after the shooting.

Police found numerous private surveillance cameras on properties in the immediate area and continue to investigate.

As of Thursday night, there were 404 reported homicides in Philadelphia according to police data, down 21 percent from the same time last year but still on pace to be one of the deadliest dating back to 2007.