Two brothers shot to death in Overbrook Park

Two brothers, ages 13 and 17, were shot to death in their Overbrook Park home Tuesday night in what Philadelphia police said may have been drug-related slayings.

Police and medics were called at 7:31 p.m. to a three-story rowhouse in the 1300 block of Westbury Drive for a reported shooting, said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

In the living room, they found the 17-year-old, who had been shot several times in the torso and head, Small said. The teen was rushed to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was pronounced dead at 8:06.

The 13-year-old was found in the basement with gunshot wounds to the torso, Small said. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:40.

Small said numerous shell casings were found in the living room. Police said they believed the younger brother was shot in the living room and stumbled into the basement.

Narcotics were found in the house, Small said. There was another drug connection to the shooting, police said, but they would not elaborate.

Two men, ages 18 and 40, were in the house when the brothers were shot. They were unharmed and were taken to Police Headquarters to be questioned, Small said.

No description of the gunman was available.

Police said the boys' mother was at the scene later in the night, talking to officers.

Dozens of residents from around the neighborhood gathered behind the police line, straining for a glimpse of what was happening.

Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey and District Attorney Seth Williams visited the crime scene. Later, a group of people formed a prayer circle. Several women wept.