Five people were killed and two children wounded late Monday when a shooter wearing a bulletproof vest fired “seemingly at random” in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood.

A 15-year-old boy was among those killed, WCAU reported, and two other children were wounded.

A police source identified the suspect as Kimbrady Carriker, 40, and said he moved over several blocks in the southwestern Philadelphia neighborhood, armed with an AR-15 style rifle before he was spotted by police and taken into custody. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said that Carriker was carrying a scanner and a handgun, in addition to the rifle, when he was arrested, and investigators said he had several magazines for the rifle inside the bulletproof vest he was wearing.

“What happened last night in our Kingsessing neighborhood was disgusting and horrifying,” said Outlaw, adding that the shooting was “seemingly at random.”

Surveillance footage captured images of the suspect walking down the street and opening fire.

Ernest Ransom, commanding officer of the police Homicide unit, said that witnesses reported seeing the suspect near 56th Street, Chester and Springfield Avenues before the shooting started.

“The suspect then began shooting aimlessly at occupied vehicles and individuals on the street as they walked,” said Ransom.

The victims

He fired at a car carrying a 33-year-old mother and her twin 2-year-olds, Ransom said. One of the toddlers was hit four times in the legs by bullets, while the other toddler and the mother were both injured by shattering glass. All three were in stable condition, he said.’

Nashaya Thomas, whose 15-year-old son — Daujan Brown — was killed in the shooting, told WCAU that her son was helping his 13-year-old friend who was shot in the legs. Brown was shot in the chest, back, and shoulder.

“His friend was hurt and he was trying to get his friend help but the guy was still in the act of doing his thing,” she said. “He was just trying to get his friend help not knowing that bullets don’t have no name.”

Officials identified the other victims as 20-year-old Lashyd Merritt, shot multiple times in the chest and arm; 29-year-old Dymir Stanton, shot in the back and chest; 59-year-old Ralph Moralis, shot in the head and side; and 31-year-old Joseph Wamah Jr., shot multiple times.

Investigators said they believe Wamah was the first victim, but he was alone in his house when he was shot, and his body wasn’t found for several hours.

Mayor: Shooting was ‘disgraceful’

Outlaw said that investigators don’t believe Carriker knew any of the victims.

District Attorney Larry Krasner said that Carriker had not yet been formally charged but will probably face murder, aggravated assault, and other related charges.

Police said that an unidentified man fired at Carriker during the spree and was also taken into custody but was later released, according to WPVI.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said it was time for America “to examine its conscience and find out how to get guns out of dangerous people’s hands.”

“A person walking down the street with an AR-style rifle and shooting randomly at people while wearing a bulletproof vest with multiple magazines is disgraceful, but an all too common situation in America,” he said.

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[Featured image: WPVI screenshot]