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Police: Gunman 'Fired Three Shots From Point-Blank Range,' Killing Man On Bicycle

By Justin Finch

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Philadelphia Police are searching for a gunman who shot and killed a man riding a bicycle.

Police say several 911 calls brought them to the 5300 block of Berks Street in Philadelphia just before midnight.

When they arrived, police found a man shot in the head. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police say the victim is believed to be in his late teens or early 20's. Police have not been able to identify the victim, he's being described as a John Doe.

scene
The scene in Philadelphia where a man on a bicycle was killed. (Credit: CBS3)

Authorities say the man was found straddling a bicycle. They believe he was either riding the bike or sitting on it when he was shot and killed.

After working the scene for several hours, a Philadelphia Police crime scene unit were able to discover a few things about the murder weapon.

Chief Inspector Scott Small
Chief Inspector Scott Small, Philadelphia Police. (Credit: CBS3)

"Ballistic evidence on the scene indicates that the shooter fired at least three shots from a semi-automatic weapon," says Chief Inspector Scott Small. "We found three large-caliber spent shell casings all just several feet from where the victim collapsed, which is an indication that the shooter fired these three shots from point-blank range."

Police are hoping to uncover video evidence -- there are crime cameras and several private cameras nearby.

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