Philadelphia Police Identify 22-Year-Old Woman Shot, Killed At Point-Blank Range While Answering Door In West Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police have identified a 22-year-old woman who was shot and killed at point-blank range as she answered the door of her home in Cobbs Creek. Shoni Sanders was fatally shot on the 5800 block of Walton Avenue around 7 p.m. Thursday.
Police say when they arrived at the home, they found Sanders inside the doorway suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Sanders was rushed to Presbyterian Hospital and was pronounced dead at 7:37 p.m.
According to police, Sanders was shot from point-blank range. Acting Philadelphia Police Commissioner Christine Coulter says three rounds were fired through the front door.
The gunman used a small caliber semi-automatic gun.
Coulter says it appears Sanders was targeted.
"Clearly, she appeared to be the intended target. She was present, they identified who it was who opened the door and then fired," Coulter said. "But I don't know the motive or who is responsible for it."
Sanders' 4-year-old son and other family members were inside the home at the time of the shooting, but they were not injured.
A family friend says Sanders was a loving mother.
"She was a loving mother, always keep to herself, smile on her face all the time," Deon Sloan said.
Detectives are canvassing the area for surveillance video.
The motive for the shooting is unclear.
CBS3's Chantee Lans contributed to this report.
