A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after being hit by a stray bullet Wednesday afternoon in Frankford as he was walking home from school.
Police say the boy was near a corner store at Torresdale Avenue and Margaret Street at around 3:30 p.m. when shots were fired from a car. Investigators believe the shooter was aiming at a group of men outside the store.
The boy, identified as Semaje O’Branty, a student at James J. Sullivan School, was shot in the back of the head. Officers rushed him to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, where he was undergoing surgery Wednesday night.
Authorities described Semaje’s condition as “critical but stable.”
The shooting was caught on video, and, on Thursday, police released images of the car, a red Pontiac G6, connected to the shooting. It was last seen heading west on Margaret Street.
As of Tuesday, police have not yet located the car or the shooter.
Authorities say Semaje’s uncle, Ernest Richardson, was standing outside the store at the time and returned fire at the car. Richardson, 22, was charged Thursday with reckless endangerment and weapons violations.
Investigators say Semaje’s mother was inside the store at the time. The family lives on the 4600 block of Torresdale Avenue, steps away from the scene.
Officers marked at least six shell casings outside Philly Deli Delight. They also marked a backpack belonging to Semaje.
Capt. John Walker, commander of the 15th Police District, said it appears the shooting was tied to the drug trade in the area.
“Bullets have no names,” he said.
Anyone with information on the car or suspects in this case is asked to contact Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3153/3154. ••
