PHILADELPHIA (September 25, 2026) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and the DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit on Friday announced a third-degree murder conviction of defendant Tahir Shoatz for his involvement in a 2024 mass shooting in West Philadelphia in which three people were killed and six were wounded.
The Honorable Judge Roxanne Covington convicted Defendant Tahir Shoatz (DOB 03/06/1996) of the following after a bench trial:
- Third-degree Murder (F1)
- Attempted Murder (F1)
- Carrying a Firearm without a License (F3)
- Carrying Firearms in Public (M1)
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP – 4 counts) (M2)
- Related crimes
In the early morning hours of July 21, 2024, shooting erupted at a block party attended by more than 100 people on the 1200 block of North Alden Street in West Philadelphia, leaving brothers Akil and Rashie Jones and their friend Sekayi Robinson dead and six others injured by gunfire — including Tahir Shoatz and a third brother, Amir Jones.
Ring camera surveillance footage captured the entire incident, which revealed the shooting stemmed from an argument between Akil Jones and Tahir Shoatz that turned physical when Shoatz reached for a gun concealed in his waistband. Amir Jones came to his brother’s aide moments before Shoatz fired the first shot. Footage also captured Shoatz discharging his firearm a second time, hitting Sekayi Robinson. Microscopic comparison of the 41 pieces of ballistic evidence recovered at the crime scene, three additional bullets, and three firearms turned over to police revealed at least six firearms were discharged during the incident.
Shoatz was convicted of murder for decedent Sekayi Robinson and attempted murder of Amir Jones. Covington acquitted Shoatz of murder for the deaths of brothers Akil and Rashie Jones, concluding that he did not fire the shots that killed them.
“This was a senseless and horrific act that led to dozens of shots being fired at a crowded event, causing terror and trauma for all those in the surrounding area,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “It is a reminder that despite the continued improvements in public safety Philadelphia has experienced over the last three years that the reckless actions of a few can endanger many. I want to thank Assistant District Attorney Cydney Pope for her excellent work on this case in achieving a verdict that will keep Tahir Shoatz in prison for many years.”
“This outcome demonstrates the importance of surveillance video recovery and forensic science in modern criminal prosecution, and we would not have achieved this verdict without the tireless investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Division, Crime Scene and Firearms Identification Units,” said ADA Cydney Pope. “Despite a guilty verdict, there were no winners in this case and our hearts continue to go out to all those affected. We hope this brings them some measure of justice and may their hearts begin to heal.”
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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.