He Died

Philadelphia, crime, death April 16th, 2007

Fewer than 24 hours earlier, a 19-year-old man died of gunshot wounds he received Thursday afternoon, becoming the city’s 113th homicide, Cooney said.

Leon Blackwell was found at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday shot multiple times inside the Kingsessing Recreation Center on Kingsessing Avenue near 50th Street.

Blackwell died of his wounds at 7:08 p.m. Saturday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

I didn’t know Leon Blackwell, but doubtless many of my neighbors did. He lived three blocks away from me, on the 1200 block of Greylock Street.

The papers keep reporting that the killing happened INSIDE the recreation center. It did not: it happened on the grounds of the center enclosed by fence, but not inside the building itself. As I understand it, “inside” usually means “surrounded by walls, floor, and a roof.” The bullets that killed Mr. Blackwell were fired outdoors, not 20 feet from the jungle gyms and swings. The killer is still at large.

2 Responses to “He Died”

  1. kate (not your sister) Says:
    April 17th, 2007 at 8:32 am

    I’m posting not so much about this as I am commenting on the tragedy at Virginia Tech - but I think it bears mentioning: this is one of the consequences of our contemporary interpretation of the second amendment. Whatever the backstory is behind THAT incident, it’s absolutely true that it wouldn’t have been possible without that particular “freedom”.

  2. bob moran Says:
    April 19th, 2007 at 8:49 pm

    Hi. I’m a reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer and tomorrow (Friday) you should see a story about Leon and the rec center. I’m working on another story about the rec center and developing some story ideas about SW Philly. If you would like to speak with me, e-mail me at bmoran@phillynews.com
    Thanks

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