A tragic event unfolded in Philadelphia on Monday night, resulting in the loss of five lives and the injury of two minors.

The alleged gunman, a 40-year-old male, reportedly voiced support for the Black Lives Matter movement on social media, according to the New York Post.

The suspect also appeared to be a cross-dresser, with Facebook posts showing him dressed in a women’s bra, top, and earrings.

He also exhibited his hair styled in long braids, further suggestive of cross-dressing.

Various cryptic social media messages were associated with the suspect, including one questioning the presence of an “evil spirit.”

A photograph of a map titled “black massacres” in the United States was also posted by the suspect, with a caption that read, “We kept the receipts.”

Intriguingly, posts also showed a person brandishing a handgun accompanied by provocative rhetoric, as well as video footage of children handling a firearm.

Tina Rosette, 49, who lived with the suspect in 2021, shared with the Philadelphia Inquirer that the suspect demonstrated “an aggressive approach to some things in life.”

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Her daughter, Cianni, 24, further revealed that he had shown her a handgun. Both Rosettes moved out in 2022, with Tina voicing concerns about the suspect’s potential descent into a “dark place.”

As gunfire erupted around 8:30 PM on Monday, a high-risk chase ensued.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw reported the suspect continued to discharge his weapon during the pursuit.

In a striking display of preparedness, he was armed with a rifle, a pistol, spare magazines, a police scanner, and a bullet-proof vest.

The aftermath of the incident revealed dozens of spent shell casings spread across an eight-block radius.

Outlaw praised the swift and brave response of the officers, highlighting the magnitude of their heroism in the face of danger.

She said, “Thank God our officers responded as quickly as they did. I can’t even describe the level of bravery and courage that was shown.”

Police identified the victims as Lashyd Merritt, 20; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; Daujan Brown, 15; and Joseph Wamah, Jr., 31.

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