A tragic incident unfolded early Monday morning in Philadelphia as Josh Kruger, a 39-year-old journalist who had previously worked for the city government, was shot and killed in his own home after being struck by seven bullets around 1:30 a.m.
After claiming that Philadelphia was safe under a Soros DA, Josh Kruger was murdered in his home.
Rest in peace. People need to wake up. https://t.co/q8o9PQdnQq pic.twitter.com/zUZtyTP6JK
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) October 2, 2023
The sound of gunshots pierced the night, followed by Kruger’s desperate calls for help, according to neighbor, Jaz Brown.
Brown immediately dialed 911, but despite the rapid response, Kruger’s injuries proved fatal, and he succumbed to them within an hour of being rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
The details surrounding this heinous crime are still unknown, with police suspecting that an intruder may have entered Kruger’s residence and shot him near the base of the stairs before making a hasty escape. As the investigation unfolds, no arrests have been made, and no murder weapon has been found.
Law enforcement agencies are diligently sifting through surveillance footage from the vicinity of the rowhouse where Kruger’s life was abruptly taken from him. Detectives, meanwhile, are exploring two potential motives for the crime: a drug-related dispute or a domestic conflict.
Sources within law enforcement disclosed that methamphetamine was discovered in Kruger’s bedroom, and investigators retrieved “troubling” text messages exchanged between Kruger and a former partner. Kruger’s career spanned across various newspapers and digital publications, but his connection to the city government was significant.
He had been responsible for managing Democratic Mayor Jim Kenney’s social media presence and had served as the communications director for the Office of Homeless Services. Additionally, Kruger was a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ community, and openly shared his status as an HIV-positive gay man.
Mayor Kenney expressed his condolences, saying, “Kruger cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident in his public service and writing. Our administration was fortunate to call him a colleague, and our prayers are with everyone who knew him.” District Attorney Larry Krasner also weighed in, stating, “Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story.”
This tragic incident occurs following a small decline in Philadelphia murder rates, with a notable 18% decrease in homicides recorded through October 2 of this year. However, the city still struggles with the lingering trauma of the record-high homicide rates from 2021 and 2022, with 562 and 516 homicides respectively.
