In the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia, on the evening of March 15, 2022, Stephen Hoston III, a 30-year-old man, was walking with his girlfriend, her two young nieces, and her six-month-old nephew. Hoston was carrying the infant in a car seat as the group made their way from his girlfriend's grandmother's house to his mother's home, a short distance away. As they walked, a gunman, who they had just passed, came up from behind and opened fire. Hoston was struck by multiple gunshots.
In the midst of the attack, he shielded the baby he was carrying, ensuring the child was unharmed.
His girlfriend and her nieces, aged five and either eleven or twelve, were also present during the shooting but were not physically injured. The traumatic event left them shaken. Philadelphia Police officers arrived at the scene on the 4900 block of Hawthorne Street at 6:54 p.m. to find Hoston with multiple gunshot wounds. They transported him to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead that evening. Authorities later stated that the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather that Hoston was the intended target.
Remembered by his family and friends as a kind, hardworking, and funny individual, Hoston worked at a manufacturing company, painting industrial parts and operating a forklift. His mother described him as a 'big kid' who was not involved in street life or drugs. He was a devoted family man who, from a young age, was passionate about bringing his loved ones together. He had also dedicated time to helping young men in his community find housing and employment. He had plans to move into a new apartment with his nephew, to whom he was a mentor figure.
In connection with the murder of Stephen Hoston III, police arrested a suspect named Quadir R. Dickerson. The case against Dickerson proceeded through the legal system. Hoston's family has publicly expressed their grief and their desire for justice for their son. They have also initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses. The family was not satisfied with the legal outcome, as Dickerson was charged with 3rd-degree murder. They believe the evidence, which reportedly includes video footage of the incident, warrants a more severe charge and have started a petition to have the conviction overturned.
