A gunman fired at least 30 shots at a driver in Manayunk in what police described as an "execution-type homicide," causing the 43-year-old victim to crash into his garage and fill it with smoke as his lifeless foot remained on the gas pedal.
The ordeal unfolded around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday along the 300 block of Dupont Street. Sebastian Cortinez, who lives nearby, told NBC10 he was inside his home when he heard multiple rounds of gunshots.
"I immediately got up. About eight more gunshots and as I was coming out about eight more too," Cortinez said.
Cortinez told NBC10 he spotted a grey Jeep fleeing the scene. He then saw a Hyundai SUV inside a garage filled with smoke.
"Massive smoke came out of the windows," Cortinez said. "It seems like the person was killed and the weight of the body was put on the pedals and the vehicle was just going straight into the garage."
Police and firefighters arrived at the scene. Once firefighters cleared the smoke they found the man's body inside the SUV.
"He was sitting in the driver's seat and the engine was running," Philadelphia Police Inspector Scott Small said. "That's what caused the garage door to be filled with smoke."
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Small said the vehicle was struck dozens of times. NBC10 cameras captured the bullet-riddled SUV being towed from the scene, evidence markers next to each bullet hole.
"We found over 30 rifle rounds," he said.
Police believe the man was targeted.
"At this time it appears to be an execution-type homicide," Small said.
Police have not officially identified the victim but believe he lives in the home attached to the garage. On Wednesday, the FBI joined the investigation as police looked at surveillance video.
"The shooter or shooters may have been in a vehicle that was last seen traveling west on Dupont," Small said.
Cortinez told NBC10 the neighborhood is normally quiet with very few violent incidents.
"It doesn't happen around here usually," he said. "Unfortunately to get more police presence in a neighborhood like Manayunk where there's not a lot of crime, you need more crime to happen and then more funds go to the neighborhood."
If you have any information on the shooting, please call Philadelphia police.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence. Further information can be found here.
