District Attorney Krasner Announces Charges in South Philadelphia Firing Range Burglary
CONTACT:
Jane Roh, District Attorney’s Office, 215–686–8711, Jane.Roh@phila.gov
PHILADELPHIA (June 5, 2020) — District Attorney Larry Krasner on Friday announced charges against Khaleef Brown (DOB: 02/13/2003) for his role in Tuesday’s armed burglary of a South Philadelphia firing range, during which a 29-year-old armed individual involved in the burglary was shot and killed by the gun store owner.
For his role in the burglary of the Firing Line Inc., which is located on the 1500 block of South Front Street, Brown is charged with Robbery (F1), Burglary (F1), Conspiracy (F1), Hindering Apprehension (F3), Possessing an Instrument of Crime (M1), Unsworn Falsifying (M2), and Obstruction of Justice (M2).
“Brown and others broke into a commercial business that was housing a large amount of firearms and ammunition. I am grateful to the Philadelphia Police Department for their diligent, thorough investigation and for working hard to respond to dangers to the public during what is an anxious time for so many,” District Attorney Krasner said. “The facts we know and the law are clear that the business owner’s use of force while inside his own property against a burglar accompanied by others who was entering with a gun in his hand was justified. It is fortunate for the City of Philadelphia that this large cache of guns and ammunitions were not taken and sold on the street.”
On Tuesday, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the owner of the Firing Line Inc. was inside his business safeguarding inventory following very recent indications of a burglary attempt with tools that he had reported to police. He spotted several individuals arriving in more than one car on security cameras. Four individuals left the cars and broke into the property using tools, including a bolt cutter.
After gaining entry to the building, the four males proceeded up a staircase to the second floor of the business, where there was a large cache of firearms and ammunition. The apparent purpose of so many individuals and two cars being involved was a massive burglary and theft of guns and ammunition. One of the males at the front of the group is depicted in the staircase video carrying a handgun in his hand. He and another male breached the door at the top of the stairs and entered.
The owner fired three times, striking and immediately killing the male who had the gun in his hand, and striking Khaleef Brown in the shoulder. Khaleef Brown and the two others who were burglarizing the building immediately ran out of the building. The 3rd District Police and Fire Medics responded to the scene, where they located the body of the struck individual and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Very shortly after the crime, Khaleef Brown arrived at the Jefferson University Emergency Room in Center City with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He told a story to police about the circumstances of his gunshot wound that was obviously false and was quickly connected to the crime by overwhelming evidence of different types. This matter remains under active investigation.
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.
