A contract journalist was shot and killed at his residence in South Philadelphia early Monday morning, the police stated.
The journalist, Josh Kruger, 39, was shot seven instances. The police stated that no arrests had been made and that no weapon was discovered.
The police arrived on the scene about 1:30 a.m., and Mr. Kruger was pronounced useless at a hospital round 2:15.
Mr. Kruger had lately written articles for The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Citizen and BillyPenn.com., the information website of the native NPR and PBS affiliate WHYY. Current matters included schooling, public artwork and L.G.B.T.Q. points.
His website says he struggled with “homelessness, habit, H.I.V., poverty, and trauma,” and used these experiences to tell his journalism.
He labored for the Philadelphia metropolis authorities from 2016 to 2021, together with as a spokesman for the Workplace of Homeless Companies, earlier than returning to journalism.
The police, responding to reviews of gunshots, arrived to search out Mr. Kruger on the street, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore told The Inquirer. The police believed that an intruder had entered his residence and shot him and that Mr. Kruger then went outdoors searching for assist earlier than collapsing.
There have been no indicators of compelled entry, Commissioner Vanore advised The Inquirer. “Both the door was open, or the offender knew the right way to get the door open. We simply don’t know but.”
Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement: “Shocked and saddened by Josh Kruger’s loss of life. He cared deeply about our metropolis and its residents, which was evident in his public service and writing.”
The Committee to Defend Journalists launched a press release in regards to the killing.
“We’re deeply disturbed by the killing of freelance journalist Josh Kruger and lengthen our condolences to his colleagues and family members,” stated Katherine Jacobsen, the middle’s U.S. and Canada program coordinator. “We name on investigators to completely examine his killing to find out whether or not the assault was associated to his work.”
