Khalif Frezghi was a 17-year-old Black male from Philadelphia's East Mount Airy neighborhood who was just weeks away from graduating from Mastery Charter School Pickett Campus. His mother described him as a "good kid" who enjoyed playing basketball. He had also been mentored by the nonprofit organization We Heard You. His family planned his funeral for what would have been his 18th birthday.
On the afternoon of April 28, 2023, two groups of young men met inside a house on the 5900 block
of Palmetto Street in the city's Lawncrest neighborhood. Investigators believe they were there for a transaction involving firearms when, around 3:30 p.m., gunfire erupted. Responding officers found three teenagers who had been shot. Khalif was discovered on the front porch, 17-year-old Malik Ballard was on the sidewalk, and 14-year-old Salah Fleming was just inside the home's doorway. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth victim, a 16-year-old male, was taken to a hospital in a private vehicle with a gunshot wound to his stomach and was listed in stable condition.
Shortly after the shooting, police located a black Ford Edge SUV that they believed was involved in the incident. The vehicle had crashed nearby, and two teenagers, ages 15 and 16, were taken into custody after they ran from the scene. Police believe they had dropped the wounded 16-year-old at the hospital before the crash. Both were charged with firearms violations and related offenses.
In the days following the shooting, police identified two cousins as persons of interest: 22-year-old Tyree Lennon and 15-year-old Taj Lennon. On July 6, 2023, authorities arrested Tyree Lennon. Investigators later announced they were also seeking two additional suspects in connection with the shooting: 23-year-old Kevin Yip and 18-year-old Kyzir Reeves.
As of July 2023, one suspect was in custody with the case pending trial. Three other suspects—Taj Lennon, Kevin Yip, and Kyzir Reeves—remained at large and were considered armed and dangerous. Authorities ask anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or to call 911.
