Watch CBS News

Man Arrested In Drive-By Murder Of SW Philadelphia Mother

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia police have made an arrest in the murder of a mother of six, the day before Mothers' Day, in Southwest Philadelphia.

Isaac Porterfield, 22, has been charged with the drive-by shooting of 39-year-old Yvette Saunders.  Police say she took a bullet intended for her son, killed only because she was there.

According to police, the tragic series of events began earlier in the day with a fight between some girls.  Some young men got involved -- possibly in the altercation or in communications afterward -- and Porterfield and his friends drove up to the victim's house.

"He came up in a vehicle," says homicide unit captain James Clark, "saw some of the females and a male involved in the fight, and just indiscriminately started firing his weapon in the direction of one of the males.  And in doing this, he shot and killed Ms. Saunders."

Capt. Clark says good detective work and help from the public led to the alleged killer.

Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.