Man Killed in Double Shooting Sacrificed Life for Boy

Thomas Gorman wasn't the father of his girlfriend's son. But according to police, Gorman's love for the 11-year-old boy was so strong that he laid down his own life for him.

Gorman, 39, and Carmen Medina, 31, had parked their SUV on the 200 block of Gurney Street in Kensington Tuesday night while Medina's son sat in the backseat. Police say Medina left the vehicle and got into a confrontation with an unknown man on the street.

"She started to walk away and she was getting back into her vehicle," said Philadelphia Police Captain James Clarke. "This male came upon her, opened up the driver's side door and shot her several times."

Investigators say the suspect then pointed a gun at Medina's son. Gorman, who was in the front seat, jumped in the way and took the bullets meant for the boy. The gunman then fled down the 2800 block of Swanson Street.

Police were called to the scene shortly before 11:30 p.m. where they found Gorman slumped over inside the vehicle and Medina on the ground outside. Both were shot multiple times in the upper torso and pronounced dead at the scene.

"Based on ballistic evidence we know that shots were fired from a large caliber semi-automatic handgun," said Chief Inspector Scott Small. "The shots were fired within close range."

Thanks to Gorman however, Medina's son was not hurt.

"Anyone anywhere near that car -- especially the young child who was in the car -- was very, very lucky to survive the gunshots," said Small.

Medina's neighbor, Alicia Brown, says she didn't know too much about the victim. However, she had plenty to say about the gunman who killed her.

"Heartless," said Medina's neighbor, Alicia Brown. "They don't have a heart for themselves. He's 11-years-old. His life hasn't begun yet."

The suspect is described as a bald man with a beard standing between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3. Police are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. If you have any information on this incident, please call Philadelphia Police.

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