In the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia on the evening of December 29, 2021, a 26-year-old Black male named Shaqur Demby was visiting friends. It was just a few weeks after his birthday and four days after Christmas; he had reportedly not seen his friends recently as he had been sick with COVID. Around 6:23 p.m., on the 100 block of F Street, gunfire broke out and Demby was shot four times in the back.
Following the shooting, Demby was transported in a private black Ford Fusion to
Temple University Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at 6:46 p.m. His family, including his mother Fatima Thomas and grandmother Winifred, were left to mourn the sudden and violent loss. They began the new year by burying their son and have since held memorials to honor his life, including a balloon release on the anniversary of his death.
The Philadelphia Police Department responded to the incident and opened an investigation into the homicide. However, to date, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Shaqur Demby, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The case remains unsolved, and his family continues to hope for justice while grappling with the constant fear and grief brought on by the city's gun violence.
