Security officer shot to death at Philadelphia office
PHILADELPHIA PA October 3 2021 – Police say a gunman who fatally shot a security guard with a homemade weapon at a Philadelphia office complex later surrendered to officers inside a third-floor social services agency.
Authorities were called to Logan Plaza on the 5200 block of Old York Road around 11:30 a.m. Friday for reports of an active shooter inside an office building.
Investigators say a man armed with a “homemade weapon” shot a security guard in the head then proceeded to Pathways to Housing PA’s third floor office.
A Contact Team from the Philadelphia Police Department entered the building and found the alleged gunman who surrendered after being ordered to drop his weapon, Deputy Commissioner Ben Nash said.
“Anybody that was inside of the building must have been scared for their lives,” Nash told reporters.
Arthur Francis, who was on the third floor when shots rang out, said he came face-to-face with the gunman. He said the suspect was “adamant” about finding someone who worked at the office.
“I was like ‘what’s going on, man?’ and the gunman was like ‘aw man, they ruined my life!’ that’s all he said,” Francis told FOX 29 News.
Authorities have not identified the gunman at this time.
The security officer victim was later identified as 25-year-old Nassir Day.
In a Facebook post, Pathways to Housing PA said the gunman was previously charged for making threats against staff members, but had not been in contact with the agency in over 18 months.
“We are both grateful that our staff and participants are safe, and full of grief to learn that a victim of today’s shooting has passed away,” the agency wrote. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family.”
