Following a review of the facts of the below listed case, the District Attorneys office approved the following charges: Murder, Conspiracy, four counts of Attempted Murder, four counts of Aggravated Assault, Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Structure, five counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person (REAP), Violations of the Uniform Firearms Act (VUFA), and Possession of an Instrument of Crime (PIC).
The offender, Steven Velez-Cruz, a 20-year-old Hispanic male, is wanted in connection with this case.
CAUTION: Steven Velez-Cruz is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach him. Anyone who sees him should contact police immediately.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or call the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Tipsters can remain anonymous.
As with all homicides in the city of Philadelphia, there is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
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Homicide and Four Additional Victims Injured in Quintuple Shooting in the 25th District
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, at approximately 4:11 a.m., Philadelphia police responded to a residence on the 2800 block of North Lawrence Street for a reported shooting involving five victims.
The decedent has been identified as 34-year-old Louis Soto, who resided on the 4300 block of J Street. Soto sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and back. He was transported by police to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased by hospital medical staff at approximately 4:42 a.m.
Four additional victims sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to Temple University Hospital or arrived there independently for treatment. Their conditions are as follows:
- A 37-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was transported by police and listed in stable condition.
- A 31-year-old female sustained gunshot wounds to the right arm and wrist and the left leg. She was transported by police and listed in stable condition.
- A 21-year-old female sustained graze wounds to the head and left arm. She was transported by police and listed in stable condition.
- A 35-year-old male walked into Temple University Hospital with a gunshot wound to the left arm and was listed in stable condition.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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