Pizza delivery driver shot dead in North Philadelphia, suspect still at large

A 28-year-old pizza delivery driver was shot and killed in North Philadelphia after completing a delivery to a vacant unit. Police have a lead via the phone number used to place the order.

Pete's Pizza driver gunned down after delivery to vacant unit in North Philadelphia

A 28-year-old pizza delivery driver was shot in the head and killed in North Philadelphia in the early hours of Friday morning, 6abc.com reports. The incident took place at the Raymond Rosen Homes on the 2300 block of Edgley Street at around 12:30 a.m.

Officers found the man lying unresponsive on the ground with a gunshot wound to his head. "He was lying on the ground unresponsive, bleeding heavily with a gunshot wound to his head," said Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department. The victim was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators identified the victim's employer through pizza boxes recovered at the scene. Action News confirmed he worked for Pete's Pizza. Inside the vacant apartment to which the delivery had been made, officers found three pizza boxes and a bag that appeared untouched — indicating the driver had completed the delivery before being shot outside.

Three spent shell casings were recovered just inches from where the victim was found. "Which is an indication that the shooter or shooters were standing very, very close to the victim," Small said. The victim's vehicle was also located near the scene, with a pizza warmer still inside.

Surveillance cameras operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority captured portions of the incident. The shooting itself was not recorded, but footage shows the delivery driver walking with the pizza boxes while being followed by two individuals wearing dark clothing. One of the two appeared to be carrying a dark backpack.

No arrests have been made. Investigators say they have identified a lead through the phone number used to place the pizza order. "We do have the phone number that made that pizza delivery," Small said.

This is the second Pete's Pizza delivery driver to be killed in recent years. In 2024, a 29-year-old man was shot dead in front of the store. Later that same year, a 26-year-old man was killed inside the store in what police described as a possible road rage incident that escalated into a deadly shooting.

Customers at the pizza shop said the killing underscores the risks delivery drivers face on the job. "To know that people are just out here recklessly with guns and stuff like that, it's very uncertain," said customer Melissa Garson. "Coming home is a blessing today."

Chris Jones said drivers should act on instinct when a situation feels unsafe. "If you don't feel safe, you go about your business. You don't even stick around," he said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police.

Source: Google News VC — Crime