PHILADELPHIA (December 19, 2022) – District Attorney Larry Krasner on Monday announced the arrests of multiple members of violent groups engaged in gun trafficking and retaliatory shootings in the Cobbs Creek area of Southwest Philadelphia. Individuals have been charged with murder for their roles in a deadly mass shooting on July 4, 2021, at a community barbecue on the 100 block of South 60th Street, as well as for the murder of a 15-year-old boy in March 2021.
Following months of investigation of the 2021 shooting incidents, which were connected by relationships with the rival groups, the District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Task Force (GVTF) last week executed arrests of five gang-affiliated individuals on charges ranging from straw purchasing of firearms to murder. Three additional individuals are wanted as fugitives.
The GVTF, along with law enforcement partners at the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD), Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and other state and federal partners, have worked tirelessly and collaboratively to investigate shootings involving rival groups or gangs; incapacitate their leadership and members; and hold them accountable for their crimes in a court of law. On Monday, representatives from the PPD, OAG, FBI, ATF Philadelphia, and other law enforcement partners joined DA Krasner, the GVTF, and members of the DAO Victim/Witness Services Unit at the Church of Christian Compassion in Cobbs Creek to announce the arrests of five “02da4” and “FSB” affiliated individuals.
“Not long ago, I promised the public that members of ‘02da4’ would ‘go to the jail.’ And now they have. They are facing the bars of a jail cell, followed vigorous and just prosecution by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for murder by gun, for shootings, and for other heinous crimes. Let me be clear to all gang and group members who are involved in gun violence: You’re next. Put down the guns. Put them down now or get ready for a lot of unhappy holidays behind bars,” District Attorney Krasner said.
“We want to give special thanks to PPD Detectives David Gannone and James Brady, who worked tirelessly with GVTF ADAs led by Supervisor Bill Fritze on this deep dive investigation. We want to thank our partners in law enforcement at the PPD, Office of the Attorney General, FBI, and federal agencies for their continued, collaborative work to help identify drivers of group gun violence in communities like Cobbs Creek,” said ADA Jeffrey Palmer, Assistant Supervisor of the GVTF. “Our thoughts are with the victims and survivors of this senseless violence. We want communities here and throughout the city to live with hope instead of fear.”
The gang-affiliated individuals arrested for prosecution by the GVTF are as follows:
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Anthony Lacey-Woodson (DOB: 11/02/2002): charged with 2 counts of Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, 4 counts of Aggravated Assault, and related offenses for the July 4, 2021, mass shooting in which Sircarr Johnson Jr. and Salahaldin Kama-Mahmoud were killed during a community barbecue celebrating the opening of Johnson’s small business. Lacey-Woodson is additionally charged with Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, and related offenses for the killing of 15-year-old Antonio Walker on March 9, 2021, at the 5200 block of Pentridge Street. Lacey-Woodson is additionally charged with other shootings that day: Attempted Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, and related offenses for a non-fatal shooting of two people at the 1600 block of South 54th Street; and Aggravated Assault and Criminal Conspiracy for a non-fatal shooting at the 6000 block of Walton Avenue. Lacey-Woodson is additionally charged with Aggravated Assault, Criminal Conspiracy, and related offenses for a non-fatal shooting at the 3800 block of Parrish Street on 1/16/2021. And finally, Lacey-Woodson is also charged as part of an alleged straw purchasing conspiracy with 4 counts of VUFA 6111 (Sale or Transfer of Firearms).
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Jalen Mickens (DOB: 1/28/2001): charged with 2 counts of Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, 4 counts of Aggravated Assault, and related offenses for a mass shooting at the 100 block of South 60th Street; Criminal Conspiracy and Aggravated Assault for a non-fatal shooting at the 6000 block of Walton Avenue; and 2 counts of Attempted Murder and Criminal Conspiracy for the shootings of two people at the 1600 block of South 54th Street; all on 7/4/2021.
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Tyheed Cooper (DOB: 2/21/1988): charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Aggravated Assault, and related offenses for a non-fatal shooting on 1/16/2021 at the 3800 block of Parrish Street.
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Kimberly Johnson (DOB: 7/2/1974): charged with 2 counts F2 VUFA 6111, 2 counts M2 VUFA 6111, Criminal Conspiracy, 2 counts Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, 2 counts Tampering with Public Records.
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Fabian Creary (DOB: 6/25/2001): will be charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Aggravated Assault, and related offenses for a non-fatal shooting on 1/16/2021 at the 3800 block of Parrish Street. Creary is currently in the custody of Delaware County
Three additional individuals are wanted for arrest as part of this investigation:
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Calvin Gatewood (DOB: 5/2/1997): will be charged with 4 counts of F2 VUFA 6111, 4 counts of M2 VUFA 6111, 4 counts of Criminal Conspiracy, and related offenses.
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Nasir Wells, aka Yasir Shakur-Wells (DOB: 4/11/2001): will be charged with Murder, Conspiracy, and related offenses for the 3/9/2021 killing of 15-year-old Antonio Walker; Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy, and related offenses for the 1/16/2021 shooting on Parrish Street; as well as VUFA 6111 and Conspiracy.
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Ahmir Johnson (DOB: 6/10/2002), alleged co-conspirator and son of Kimberly Johnson: will be charged with 2 counts VUFA 6111 and Criminal Conspiracy, as well as Attempted Murder and related offenses for a 4/3/2021 non-fatal shooting on the 1100 block of Divinity Street.
“The FBI is fully committed to our role in battling Philadelphia’s gun violence epidemic and to our partnership with each of these agencies,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire. “We will continue to provide all available resources, information, and personnel, to lock up violent offenders and take guns away from people who shouldn’t have them.”
“We will continue working closely alongside our local, county, state, and federal partners,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in charge of ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “These longstanding partnerships have been and will continue to be the essence of ATF’s mission in combatting violent crime and keeping our communities safe from gun violence. These arrests are the culmination of the robust investigative relationships ATF maintains with our dedicated partners.”
“Gun violence has a devastating impact on the lives of our friends, our family and on the communities in which we live. Combining commonsense gun safety reforms with a commitment to restoring peace and safety in our neighborhoods should be the top priority of all residents of Philadelphia,” Rep. Morgan Cephas, Chair of the Philadelphia House Delegation, said. “I wholeheartedly support bold actions such as this, led by the Gun Violence Task Force. This is a significant step forward utilizing a strategic, coordinated enforcement effort that will help to fight back against this senseless gun violence epidemic. There is still a lot of work to do, but this coordinated operation helps to bring hope to our city.”
City Councilmember Sharon Vaughn added, “It is an understatement to say gun violence has reached unprecedented levels in Philadelphia, especially among our youth, and continues to be top of mind for practically every resident. The efforts and time devoted by DA Krasner and other law enforcement partners to this issue — evident per today’s announcement — clearly underscores the urgency required to find a resolution that will save countless lives. I applaud all those whose diligence led to this significant moment for the Gun Violence Task Force.”
The Philadelphia DAO Gun Violence Task Force comprises police officers, state agents, and county prosecutors. Last week, the GVTF was awarded $20 million for technological and forensic modernization and upgrades from the Pennsylvania Gun Violence Investigation & Prosecution (GIVIP) grant program.
Information about the GVTF can be found on PhillyDA.org and AttorneyGeneral.gov.
Jane Roh, 215-686-8711, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.