On August 17, 2021, 15-year-old Simone-Monea Rogers was tragically shot while playing basketball with her brother and friends at Jerome Brown Playground in Philadelphia, PA. She was struck twice in the head by gunfire and was rushed to Temple University Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day. Simone-Monea was well-known in her community and lived just one block away from the playground.
The incident occurred around 8:53 p.m., and police found Simone-Monea lying
face-down on the basketball court when they arrived. Surveillance footage captured the tragic moment, showing her dribbling the ball before collapsing after being hit by bullets. Despite extensive efforts to identify the shooter, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved. The Philadelphia Police Department continues to urge anyone with information to come forward.
The shooting has deeply affected the community, with many expressing shock and sorrow over the senseless violence. Simone-Monea's death marked her as the 167th child gun violence victim in Philadelphia that year. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives reviewing surveillance footage and seeking information about a silver vehicle seen in the area. The community hopes for justice and closure for Simone-Monea's grieving family.
