On the night of July 12, 2023, Michael Salerno, 50, was fatally shot during an attempted carjacking in South Philadelphia. The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. near 12th and Porter streets, where Salerno tried to intervene as three young males attempted to steal his vehicle, which was occupied by a female friend at the time. The assailants, described as being between 15 and 20 years old, approached aggressively, and during the confrontation, Salerno was shot once in the head, resulting in
his immediate death.
Following the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a red Kia Soul with out-of-state plates, last seen heading south on 12th Street. Surveillance footage revealed that the vehicle had been circling the neighborhood prior to the incident, suggesting the perpetrators were searching for a target. The Philadelphia Police Department released images of the suspects and their vehicle, appealing to the public for assistance in identifying them.
On August 7, 2023, nearly a month after the incident, authorities arrested 15-year-old Rasheed Banks Jr. in Camden, New Jersey. The U.S. Marshals Service reported that Banks was apprehended by the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force in connection with Salerno's murder. At the time of his arrest, Banks was considered armed and dangerous.
Despite the arrest of Banks, the investigation remained active, as the other individuals involved in the attempted carjacking had not been identified. Authorities continued to urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the city's $20,000 reward for information leading to arrests and convictions in homicide cases.
Michael Salerno's death was a tragic loss for his family and the South Philadelphia community. He was remembered as a courageous individual who acted selflessly to protect his friend during the fatal encounter. His passing left a void among his surviving relatives and friends, who mourned the senseless act of violence that claimed his life.
