The Philadelphia mass shooting suspect, Kimbrady Carriker, has been ordered to trial after his lawyers informed the judge that he has been receiving mental health treatment and is prepared to proceed with the case. Carriker, 41, faces charges of five counts of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and illegal gun possession for the random shootings that occurred in the Kingsessing neighborhood in early July.
During a preliminary hearing, detectives presented footage from an officer’s body-worn camera showing Carriker walking about a mile during most of the shootings on July 3. Investigators are still trying to determine what led him to fire at some people and not others, according to Assistant District Attorney Robert Wainwright. Wainwright commended the officers for their bravery in confronting the suspect and trying to stop him from causing further harm.
Carriker’s attorneys informed the court that he has been receiving mental health treatment and is willing to proceed with the case. The municipal court judge has decided to forward the charges to county court for trial. Prosecutors have stated that Carriker left a will dated June 23 at his home and a roommate reported that he had been acting agitated and wearing a tactical vest in the days leading up to the shooting.
The shooting claimed the lives of four individuals, including 20-year-old Lashyd Merritt, 29-year-old Dymire Stanton, 59-year-old Ralph Moralis, and 15-year-old DaJuan Brown. Another victim, Joseph Wamah, 31, was found shot to death a day earlier in Kingsessing. In addition to the fatalities, a 2-year-old boy and a 13-year-old youth were wounded by gunfire while two people sustained injuries from shattered glass during the shootings.
Philadelphia police reported that Carriker was wearing a ski mask and was armed with an AR-15 style rifle during the shootings. After surrendering in an alleyway police discovered that he was carrying two guns extra magazines and bulletproof vest.[
