Sherita Hamilton, a 19-year-old from Philadelphia, was tragically killed on October 30, 2012, in a shooting that took place while she was babysitting her young cousins. The incident occurred in the Wynnefield Heights neighborhood, specifically in the doorway of her aunt and uncle’s home on the 1700 block of North Aberdeen Street. Hamilton was shot in the head and died on the scene, leaving behind a heartbroken family and community.
On that evening, Hamilton was taking care of her aunt's seven children, ranging in age from two to eleven. According to authorities, a man being pursued by two armed men ran up to the house and tried to force his way inside to escape. As Hamilton opened the door, gunfire erupted, and she was fatally struck. Investigators believe she was not the intended target; rather, the gunmen were aiming at the fleeing individual. The man being chased was later taken into custody, though police were still searching for the shooters at that time.
Hamilton had recently started college with aspirations of becoming a nurse, and her aunt described her as someone deeply dedicated to helping others. She was an active member of her church and was known for her passion for health care. A memorial of stuffed animals and messages soon formed on the porch where she was killed, a testament to the impact she had on those around her. The incident, which occurred in front of the children she was caring for, highlights the tragic and indiscriminate nature of the gun violence that has plagued Philadelphia communities.
