Two occupied houses escaped injuries as police investigated a teen’s death, dozens of shell casings and a stolen car nearby.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Bullets struck two occupied homes during a fatal shooting Monday night in Philadelphia’s Summerdale section, where an 18-year-old was killed and police recovered about 26 shell casings around a neighborhood corner store.
No one inside the two homes was hurt, authorities said, despite gunfire entering the properties through second-floor front bedroom windows. The shooting unfolded shortly before 9 p.m. near Marcella Street and Summerdale Avenue and left investigators processing evidence across the store, sidewalk, street and surrounding residential area.
Police found the 18-year-old unresponsive inside the corner store. He had suffered at least one gunshot wound and was taken to Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities had not released his identity as of Tuesday morning.
Investigators found at least one spent shell casing inside the store near the victim and roughly 25 more outside, according to police accounts from the scene. The number and distribution of the casings prompted officers to examine a broad area around the business as they worked to reconstruct the shooting.
Chief Inspector Scott Small said bullets entered nearby residences and passed through second-floor windows. Although people were inside, police reported no additional injuries. The damage underscored how the gunfire extended beyond the location where officers found the victim.
A second part of the investigation centered on a stolen gray Nissan found near the scene after it crashed into a parked vehicle. Police said the car’s engine was still running and its driver-side front and rear doors were open. Investigators considered the Nissan part of the crime scene but had not publicly explained who had been using it or whether anyone seen leaving it was connected to the shooting.
Police said the Nissan did not appear to have bullet holes. Detectives were examining the vehicle along with shell casings and other evidence collected in the area to determine whether it played a role before or after the gunfire. Authorities had not released details about when the vehicle was stolen.
The victim was described by a store employee as a regular customer who visited the business to play games of skill. Police had not announced a motive. NBC10 reported that investigators believe the teenager may have been chased from outside into the store, but authorities had not released a full account of the moments leading to the shooting.
No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday morning. Detectives continued working to identify those involved, determine the role of the stolen vehicle and establish why the 18-year-old was targeted while also examining the gunfire that struck the nearby homes.
Author note: Last updated September 22, 2026.