To the Temple Community,   

On Sunday around 11:15 p.m., Temple University Police and Philadelphia Police responded to a report of shots fired near the 1700 block of North 16th Street. 

Upon arrival, officers observed multiple shell casings at the scene. Preliminary reports indicate that an altercation between individuals occurred outside a house party involving young adults or teenagers which escalated into gunfire, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old man. 

The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) Central Detectives have processed the scene and have cleared the area. PPD is leading the investigation. Temple University Police are working in close coordination with them to investigate this incident and are currently reviewing camera footage and working to identify witnesses. 

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Anyone with information is urged to contact the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or Central Detectives at 215-686-3093. You also can contact Temple’s Investigations Unit at 215-204-6200 or Temple Police at 215-204-1234.   

While the victim was not affiliated with Temple, incidents like these are deeply concerning. We encourage all members of our community to become familiar with the university’s available safety resources, such as the Walking Escort program, the Flight shuttle service and additional safety resources within the TUSafe app.   

Students who are impacted are encouraged to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services. For faculty and staff members, our Employee Assistance Program offers support and resources 24/7 online or by calling 1-888-267-8126.   

More safety resources can also be found at safety.temple.edu.   

Sincerely,   

Jennifer Griffin  
Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police