On a Tuesday afternoon, June 23, 2015, the life of 22-year-old Jerry Keith Lawson III came to a violent end on the streets of North Philadelphia. At approximately 3:18 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting on the 1600 block of West Stiles Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered Lawson lying face down on the sidewalk. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot to the head, and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The incident appeared to be the
result of a gun battle, which also left another 25-year-old man wounded. This second victim was found at the scene with a gunshot wound to his leg and was subsequently transported to Hahnemann University Hospital in stable condition. Lawson, a resident of Delancey Street in West Philadelphia, was remembered by his mother as a smart and artistic young man who had overcome disabilities to earn his high school diploma. She described him as funny, full of life, and someone who loved kids and pets.
Despite the ongoing investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Jerry Keith Lawson. The case remains unsolved, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or a motive for the shooting. The police have appealed to the community for any information that could bring closure to Lawson's family.
