Far-left Philly mayoral candidate’s volunteer fatally shoots another volunteer during campaigning, say police.

22-Year-Old Campaign Volunteer Fatally Shoots Fellow Volunteer While Canvassing for Left-Wing Political Organization

A tragic incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a 22-year-old campaign volunteer for One PA, a Left-wing political organization, allegedly fatally shot a 46-year-old fellow volunteer while canvassing for Helen Gym, a Democratic candidate for the Philadelphia mayoral primary.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the two volunteers had possibly been engaged in a dispute before the shooting occurred. The 22-year-old, who was in legal possession of his handgun, remained at the scene to be questioned by detectives. The police have not revealed the reason behind the shooting.

Details of the Incident

The two men were canvassing in the East Germantown neighborhood in the northern portion of Philadelphia when they “happened upon each other,” according to Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore. Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom added that the men “had always had a beef.”

The 46-year-old allegedly pulled a firearm that was unregistered to him when he met the 22-year-old on the street, allegedly prompting the latter to draw his handgun and shoot the man in the armpit. The younger canvasser told officers that he had acted in self-defense.

One PA’s Response

In a statement, One PA expressed their condolences and sympathy to the victim’s family. The organization said, “We are mourning this senseless loss, and continuing to gather the facts and investigate what happened.”

The Mayoral Primary

Helen Gym is widely regarded as one of the more Left-wing candidates in the mayoral primary, which is slated to occur next week. Her campaign platform centers on community safety and supports declaring a state of emergency over gun violence.

Elevated crime levels are a core issue in the mayoral elections. Philadelphia saw 516 homicides last year, just below the 2021 total of 562 homicides, which was a decades-long high in the City of Brotherly Love, according to data from the Philadelphia Police Department.

Endorsements and Controversies

Gym has received endorsements from prominent democratic socialists Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). In 2017, Gym endorsed Philadelphia Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, who has drawn controversy for advancing lax bail policies and reduced prosecutions for certain crimes, prompting hundreds of attorneys to leave his office.

Conclusion

This tragic incident highlights the importance of community safety and responsible gun ownership. It is a reminder that political differences should never escalate to violence. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and the One PA community during this difficult time.

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