iradiophilly | News - Philly Police Officer Dies of Coronavirus; Walnut Street Center City Closure; Trenton Shootings

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Philly Police Officer Dies of Coronavirus; Walnut Street Center City Closure; Trenton Shootings

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 04/06/20 3:28 pm | updated: 04/06/20 3:28 pm

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney confirmed the death of a Philadelphia police officer from coronavirus COVID-19 over the weekend. 59-year-old Lt. Jimmy Walker was a supervisor in the traffic division. He was a 33 year veteran of the force. "This weekend, we lost a friend, a family member, a hero," Kenney said. "Any death is tragic, but today, it hits close to home. We have seen the first death in our family of City employees. The pain for Lt. Walker's brothers and sisters on the force is compounded by their recent loss of Sergeant James O'Connor - another life that could not be mourned fully due to the gatheringÂ restrictions surrounding COVID-19. This is a heartbreaking reminder that the virus is affecting people throughout our community - especially those on the frontlines."

FOP Lodge #5 President John McNesby said in a statement, "It's with a heavy heart that we send our deepest condolences to this officer's family. We should never forget the sacrifices of our officers and those on the front-lines battling this pandemic and working tirelessly to keep our great city safe."

Walnut Street between 13th and Juniper Streets in Center City has been closed until further notice. The City of Philadelphia is using the Holiday Inn Express along Walnut Street as a quarantine site for people who either have coronavirus COVID-19 or have symptoms and are waiting test results. The street has been been closed to vehicular traffic as of 5 a.m. Monday, 4/6. There is no parking allowed either. The sidewalk outside the hotel is closed, but bicycles and pedestrian traffic are allowed to pass on the opposite side of the street. SEPTA has rerouted bus routes.

Two people were killed and five were injured in three separate shooting in Trenton on Sunday, 4/5. The first shooting happened after 5 p.m. at Martin Luther King Park. A group of people were gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Bond Street. Several suspects approached and opened fire on the group. Around 40 shots were fired. Two men were struck in the torso. 20-year-old Frederick Mason died at the hospital and the other man remains hospitalized.

The second shooting happened around 7 p.m. on the 100 block of Hoffman Avenue. People were gathered watching two women engaged in a street fight. Someone approached and shot a woman in the head who was standing in the crowd. She remains in critical condition in the hospital.

The third shooting happened around 9 p.m. on the 400 block of Garfield Avenue. A group of people were hanging out when a vehicle drove down the street and opened fire. One victim was struck in the hand, a second victim was struck in the leg, and a third victim was struck in the head. They were all taken to the hospital. Police found a fourth victim in a backyard. 30-year-old Dabree Brannon was pronounced dead at the scene. If you have any information, contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406.

A 7-year-old boy was shot and killed during a drive-by shooting in Chester on Sunday night, 4/5. It happened around 9 p.m. on the 2600 block of Swarts Street. The boy, Sinsir Parker, was caught in the crossfire when two cars came down the street and opened fire. He was shot in the face. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. No arrests have been made.

Sports
Four Philadelphia Eagles have been selected to the NFL's All Decade team for the 2010s. Jason Peters, LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles, and Fletcher Cox all made the team. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee votes on the team.

There are new dates for the major golf championships this year. The British Open has been canceled outright for 2020 and will return in 2021, the first time it hasn't been played since 1945. The Master's would have started this Thursday, April 9.

PGA Championship: August 3-9 at Harding Park
U.S. Open: September 14-20 at Winged Foot
Masters: November 9-15 at Augusta National