Jaleel D Huggins Cotton, a 21-year-old Black male, was killed on the evening of August 7, 2020, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The incident occurred on the 1500 block of South 52nd Street in the Southwest section of the city. Philadelphia Police officers responded to a call and discovered Jaleel lying in the street, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
He was immediately transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead that night. At the time of his death, Jaleel was a father to a young son and daughter.
The investigation into Jaleel's death is ongoing, and as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The case remains unsolved. Authorities and family members have appealed to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible. The Philadelphia Police Department has offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in his murder.
According to his family, Jaleel was waiting outside of a store when he was shot. They believe he was the intended target of the attack. Surveillance footage from the area reportedly captured a person using a large blue-and-white umbrella to obstruct the view of Jaleel before another individual shot him from behind. This detail suggests a level of planning in the commission of the crime. The family continues to seek justice for Jaleel's death.
