Philadelphia, PA – Two individuals were fatally shot in what authorities are describing as an “execution style” attack at a park in Philadelphia on Thursday night. The victims have been identified as Thurston Cooper, 49, and Krystina Chambers, 38, both residents of Philadelphia.
According to officials from the Philadelphia Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting at the park shortly before 11 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, they discovered Cooper and Chambers with fatal gunshot wounds. Cooper was shot in the head, while Chambers sustained gunshot wounds to the head and chest, as reported by WPVI-TV and NBC10 Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small confirmed that the victims were shot “execution style,” stating that it was not solely determined by their proximity to one another. It is believed that the perpetrator or perpetrators were standing in close proximity to the victims when the shots were fired, as evidenced by the proximity of ballistic evidence.
Investigators hope to gather more information about the incident from surveillance footage captured by security cameras at the nearby Mount Pleasant Mansion, a historic property. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and the Philadelphia Police Department’s homicide unit is actively conducting an investigation.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.