Sara Salih, a 25-year-old woman of Ethiopian descent, tragically lost her life on September 16, 2016, in Philadelphia, PA. She was sitting in a car with her boyfriend on Sansom Street when Nicholas Glenn, a gunman, approached their vehicle and opened fire. Salih was struck several times in the chest and was taken to Penn-Presbyterian Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Her boyfriend was also injured but survived.
The incident was part of a larger shooting rampage that began when Glenn fired about 18 shots at Philadelphia Police Sergeant Sylvia Young as she sat in her patrol cruiser. Glenn then continued his attack, targeting Salih and her boyfriend, as well as other civilians and police officers. In total, Glenn shot at least 51 rounds during the rampage. He was eventually shot and killed by responding police officers.
Authorities found a note in Glenn's possession that expressed anger towards law enforcement and his parole officer, though the exact motive behind the attack remains unclear. Police believe that Salih and the other victims were random targets.
The loss of Sara Salih was deeply felt by her family and friends. Her father, Beyan Salih, heard the gunshots from their apartment but did not realize his daughter had been shot until later. Her sister, Fatima Salih, described Sara as outgoing and outspoken, with dreams of becoming a paralegal. Sara had moved to America from Saudi Arabia as a young girl and was studying fashion design at the time of her death.
The tragic events of that night left a lasting impact on the community, and the Salih family continues to mourn the loss of their beloved Sara.
