Philadelphia House Delegation offers remarks on recent shootings
Rep. Morgan B. Cephas March 7, 2024 | 2:25 PM
HARRISBURG, March 7 – Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation expressed their concerns for their communities and sympathy for the victims and families affected by four separate shootings in the city on or near SEPTA buses over the course of four days from March 3-6.
Many of the victims in these shootings were youth, including a student from Imhotep Charter High School, 17-year-old Dayemen Taylor, who was killed Monday, March 4 at Ogontz bus stop; and eight students from Northeast High School who were shot yesterday, March 6 near a SEPTA bus station at Rising Sun and Cottman avenues.
“My heart aches in light of news of several youth-involved shootings across the city of Philadelphia over the last few days,” said Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Morgan Cephas. “My deepest condolences go out to the families and communities enduring unimaginable loss. Each young life taken represents a future unfulfilled, a potential that will never be realized. We must come together, not only to grieve, but to take immediate, collective action against the epidemic of gun violence tearing at the fabric of our city. Together, we can and must build a safer, more hopeful future for all our children.”
State Rep. Anthony Bellmon issued the following remarks on the shooting that occurred yesterday on Rising Sun and Cottman avenues, which is in his legislative district, and the need to invest in gun violence prevention.
“I am completely devastated at the news of eight of our community members falling victim to senseless gun violence yesterday afternoon in the Burholme community,” Bellmon said. “My heart goes out to the victims and their families during this tragic time, and my office stands ready to provide resources to those families and any others who need help navigating this difficult situation. As co-chair of the PA SAFE Caucus, I stand with our Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and our Governor Josh Shapiro in using the full power of the state budget to address the epidemic of gun violence in Pennsylvania by providing $100 million for gun violence prevention programs in this year’s budget.”
Members of the delegation said that they will continue their work in Harrisburg, and with the Philadelphia Police Department, City Council, and the Parker administration to move important gun reform legislation that will keep Philadelphia and communities across Pennsylvania safer from these fatal situations.