DEVELOPING: 4 victims led to basement, shot execution-style in quadruple homicide, police say

Police in Philadelphia continue to investigate after four people were found shot execution-style in the basement of a home undergoing renovation.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the bodies of two unidentified men and women were discovered in the West Philadelphia home at around noon on Monday. Police said all four victims had gunshot wounds to the head.

“Sadly, all four of these individuals were executed—there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it,” Police Commissioner Richard Ross said, casting doubt that the quadruple homicide was random.

“This is an absolutely evil thing to do…There is no way in the world people should have met their demise this way.”

KYW-TV reported that a relative of one of the victims called police after not hearing from them. The relative reportedly thought nothing of the door being slightly ajar due to ongoing renovations at the residence.

The Patriot-News reported that Ross said it appears the four victims were led to the basement, noting that there was no sign of a struggle.

Speaking with The Inquirer, Nadirrah Smith claimed one of the male victims was a close friend who had recently moved into the home. Smith said she believed the other male victim was her close friend’s brother but stated that she was unsure of the identities of the two women also found in the basement.

Reports indicated that authorities have identified three of the four victims. KYW-TV reported that the ages of the victims range from 20s to 40.

Police haven’t recovered a weapon. A motive remains unclear.

[Featured image: WCAU video screengrab]