Sante Shelton Shot, Killed After Leaving Gym In Philadelphia's Port Richmond Neighborhood, Police Say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- We now know the name of the father shot and killed just moments after leaving a gym in Philadelphia's Port Richmond section Monday night. As police investigate, CBS3 spoke to the victim's grieving parents. They have a message for their son's killer.
"Turn yourself in, please," said Wade Shelton, the victim's father.
"He's my only son," said Michelle Payne, the victim's mother.
The family of 42-year-old Sante Shelton, of West Philadelphia, says he was taken from them too soon.
"He had a bright light when he smiled. He lit up the whole world when he smiled," Payne said.
Police say Shelton was leaving a gym near Aramingo Avenue in Port Richmond just before 8 p.m. Monday.
He started driving his Jeep when officers say a gunman fired a barrage of bullets. Several pierced the driver's side window, striking and killing Shelton.
His vehicle then crashed into a parked car.
"When we found him, he was sitting in the driver's seat of that Jeep, engine running," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
Car parts and crime scene tape are now left behind.
Shelton's family tells me he was a father of eight children.
"Y'all hurt a whole family by something real senseless. He didn't deserve it. He was a good dad," said Andranetta Bundy, the victim's sister.
"My goal now is to raise my grandkids because they don't have a father," Shelton said. "It don't make no sense. I've served for 20 years. I've been overseas in three war zones and here is worst than there."
Shelton's uncle agrees.
"There needs to be an outcry from this community. We need to stand up and say, 'No more. This is it, we're tired of losing our kids,'" Shaheed Shelton said.
While the family wants justice, Shelton's mother says she forgives the person who took her son's life.
"My son is now flying with the angels so I'm good with that because I walk with Christ. But my heart is broken right now. My heart is really broken," Payne said.
No arrests have been made.
So far, Philly has seen 121 homicides this year. The city is on track to outpace last year's record homicide rate.
The mayor and police commissioner are expected to address gun violence at their twice-monthly news conference Wednesday.
For a list of gun violence resources in Philadelphia, click here.
