Deadly Shooting Of 3-Year-Old In Philadelphia Has Officials Calling For Action
By Syma Chowdhry
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- District Attorney Seth Williams and other officials held a press conference to bring attention to a bill sitting in the state House and Senate.
They say this legislation could prevent future crimes like the one that took place on Etting Street, leaving a three-year-old dead.
"We know those who carry illegal firearms in Philadelphia do so because they intend in harming others."
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams is fired up about a bill that he says could have prevented a shooting death of a little girl.
Tynirah Borum was sitting on a porch getting her hair braided earlier this month when she was allegedly shot in the chest by Brandon Ruffin.
Police say Ruffin shot a man he was feuding with. In the process, he hit Tynirah and two other innocent bystanders.
Ruffin has a criminal record and was back on the streets just weeks before the shooting.
"He had been previously convicted of carrying a firearm without a license."
Williams says the legislation sitting in the House and Senate could have kept Ruffin behind bars.
The bill would make carrying guns illegally in Philadelphia a punishable crime with a mandatory minimum two year prison sentence and $100,000 bail.
"We're going to keep you in custody until your trial for just unlawfully carrying a gun."
The legislation was introduced last year. It's been supported by many local officials, including the District Attorney's in the surrounding counties.
Delaware County DA Jack Whelan says, "Crime doesn't stop at the borders of Delaware County or Chester County, unfortunately we share many of the same individuals."
Officials say there is no reason why this bill shouldn't pass because it doesn't affect law abiding citizens.
Senator Larry Farnese says, "It should not have any opposition from any special interests groups."
Again, the legislation sits in the state House and Senate.
Right now lawmakers are in the summer session and but will reconvene September 15.
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