Police name suspect in December shooting in West Philly

Police have identified a suspect in the December shooting of two older men wounded by stray gunfire in West Philadelphia in what authorities say was a retaliatory act connected to a slaying.

Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives identified the suspect as Raheem Kareem, 23, of Dearborn Street. On Dec. 30, Walker said, Kareem went to 41st Street near Parrish Street about 8:40 p.m., hunting for men he believed might have been involved in the killing of David Carson, 33. Carson had been shot the previous night in the neck and head at 36th Street and Fairmount Avenue.

Getting out of a silver car, Kareem fired eight shots from a handgun at a 19-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, Walker said. He missed them but hit Ronald Washington, 69, and James Hollis, 81.

Hollis, who was returning home after walking a friend to a bus stop, was struck in the head. He remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition, Walker said. Washington, who was riding in a motorized scooter when he was struck in the back and an arm, has been released from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The incident was the latest in a series of drug-related shootings in the neighborhood, Walker said.

"We have two elderly gentlemen who spent their lives in the neighborhood, only to be gunned down by idiots carrying out a feud," Walker said.

Kareem has been arrested seven times, on charges including drug possession, assault, and attempted murder. But he mostly has been able to stay out of jail, court records show.

In 2005, he walked away from an attempted-murder case after witnesses twice failed to appear in court.

At the time of the recent shooting, Kareem was free after posting $500 bail for a September drug-possession arrest, records show.

Authorities ask that anyone with information call Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183.