Deadlier than the O.K. Corral — South Philly’s modern-day shootout

Perhaps the most famous and deadly shootout in America was the 1881 gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, between lawmen Wyatt Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan, and Earp’s friend Doc Holiday, against outlaws Billy Claiborne, Ike and Billy Clanton, and Tom and Frank McLaury 

Although the gunfight actually took place at a lot near the O.K. Corral, the famous gunfight, depicted in many movies and TV shows, lasted less than a minute and 30 shots were fired. 

Many more shots were fired in July in the Grays Ferry area in South Philadelphia than the famous Wild West shootout. And the modern-day South Philly gunfight was captured on video.

Three people were killed in the shootout and nine people were injured. A third suspect, Jihad Gray, was arrested by the Philadelphia Police on August 22nd. The police recovered two handguns and a rifle when Gray was arrested.

Gray was charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and other serious charges.

Previously arrested after the mass shootout were Daquan Brown and Terrell Frazier. Other suspects are being pursued as well. 

According to the Philadelphia Police, on Saturday, July 5, a heavily attended street party occurred on the 1500 block of South Etting Street, the event prompted by a posting on social media sites

Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore stated at a press conference that police officers were dispatched to break up the boisterous party and some of the partygoers leaped on the police cars and two of them were arrested. 

The following evening, on Sunday, July 6th, a crowd of more than 200 people swelled again on the 1500 block of South Etting Street for yet another street party, Deputy Commissioner Vanore told reporters. The block party extended to Monday, July 7, when one of the partygoers fired a gun. Several others subsequently fired their guns.     

“There was no argument or no opposing party. We believe that one individual that was amongst their group had fired a gun. We believe it may have been in the air,” Vanore told reporters. “That caused at least a dozen other people with firearms to then begin recklessly and really intentionally firing their firearms. I have no idea what all of them were firing at.”

According to the police, it is believed that thirteen separate guns were fired. The police released a video that highlights several people discharging guns on a porch while others crouched to avoid being shot. 

Deputy Commissioner Vanore stated that the police believed the mass shooting was a case of “contagious gunfire,” meaning that the volley of gunshots followed the first shot fired. He told reporters that the shooters did not seem to be shooting at anyone in particular. The deputy commissioner said that he had never seen contagious gunfire like this. 

I reached out to Gary Capuno, a retired police sergeant, and like me, a South Philly resident, to get his take on the gunfight.

“Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore stated that early on the dozen or so shooters in Grays Ferry weren’t firing at an opposing party,” Capuno said. “I’m not buying that story. Vanore has been quoted as saying that this was a case of contagious gunfire. I have never heard the term contagious gunfire used anywhere other than in a police discharge when one officer fires their weapon causing others to follow suit. 

“I believe using this term in this situation is ridiculous. Many other terms come to mind: reckless, criminal, deadly, asinine, indiscriminate, irresponsible. There were more than 120 fired cartridge casings, thirteen shooters, three dead. No, this was not a war zone — although I’m sure it sounded like one — but on South Etting Street right here in the City of Brotherly Love.  

Capuno noted that one suspect had prior arrests and convictions, including an arrest involving a firearm. 

“I feel that the lack of responsibility that people have for their actions, coupled with the failure of the ‘system’ to hold them accountable, directly contributes to the epidemic of gun violence that we see across the nation. There are root causes such as the breakdown of the family unit. A stable family unit includes two parents (whether it be Jack and Jill, John and Will or Kate and Lil) helping to raise a child would help in their development. Morals and values need to be taught at home. Our youngsters also need a strong male figure in their life. My dad used to tell me when he was disciplining me ‘Better you cry now than I cry later.’ Take from that what it’s worth. 

“It seems that many of these shootings stem from a person believing they were disrespected. Years ago, people would settle their differences with a good old-fashioned fistfight. Now they pull out a gun and shoot indiscriminately. 

“How did this become the norm?”

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes their online Threatcon column. His work has also appeared in the Washington Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Weekly. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com