Police have identified the gunman of the shooting that happened in Philadelphia's Kingsessing neighborhood Monday night (July 3) as 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker.
He was armed with a rifle and wore a bulletproof vest when he shot five men dead and injured two children during the incident. He was also armed with a pistol and carried extra ammunition and a police scanner.
The two boys, aged 2 and 13, suffered gunshot wounds to their legs.
Carriker was arrested shortly by police, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Other than his name and age, police have not yet publicly disclosed the suspect's identity.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said Carriker allegedly fired at police as they chased him for several blocks before he eventually surrendered in an alley.
Police have identified the slain victims as Lashyd Merritt (20), Dymir Stanton (29), Ralph Moralis (59), Daujan Brown (15), and Joseph Wamah, Jr. (31).
The gunman did not have any connection to the victims prior to the shooting, she added.
A second man was also arrested, but police said he might have picked up a firearm and returned fire at Carriker.
From Computer Nerd to Community Killer
Carriker's former roommates, Mother and daughter Tina (49) and Cianni Rosette (24) told the Inquirer they were shocked to learn of his involvement with the shooting.
The older Rosette said he was "really smart, intelligent, creative" and was a computer nerd, but he also had "an aggressive approach to some things in life." She was also not aware he had a gun in his possession.
She also recalled him teaching young people how to fight "purportedly" in self-defense but failed to give them directions on when to stop.
Meanwhile, the younger Rosette said she saw Carricker flash a handgun several times. "He was trying to get me comfortable around guns and stuff like that," she said.
The Rosettes said they used to live with Carriker in 2021 but moved out about a year ago. Tina added she believed the gunman had been in a "dark place" lately, but had no idea why.
According to Philadelphia court records, Carriker was previously arrested in 2003 for possession of a weapon without a license, carrying a firearm in public, and drug possession. He eventually pleaded guilty to firearm possession and the other charges were dropped. He was sentenced to three years probation and an over $1,000 fine.
Related Article: Philadelphia Shooting: 5 Dead, 2 Kids Injured After Heavily Armed Gunman with Bulletproof Vest Opens Fire on Streets
