As warmer weather arrives in Philadelphia, District Attorney Larry Krasner is warning residents not to respond to violence with retaliation. Speaking at a Tuesday press conference, Krasner said anyone who attempts to settle disputes through retaliatory shootings or other crimes risks arrest and long prison sentences. His message focused on people who may feel anger after incidents involving friends or family members.
Krasner told residents that disputes must be handled through law enforcement and the courts. “If you want to stay outside, let the courts do what they do,” he said.
The warning comes as prosecutors review several recent violent incidents across the city. Investigators are examining a shooting from last week in which an 11-year-old boy allegedly killed his mother’s 30-year-old boyfriend. Authorities said the shooting came from a domestic dispute. Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci of the district attorney’s youth justice division explained that the investigation will take time because investigators must download and analyze digital evidence while confirming that physical evidence matches witness accounts. Voci described the case as “a tragedy across many different spectrums.”
Another incident under investigation took place in Germantown. A multi-vehicle crash resulted in two young men dying and another person suffering critical injuries. Authorities also discovered a semiautomatic weapon inside the vehicle involved in the crash.
Officials also discussed a home invasion in Kensington that appears connected to a gang rivalry. According to prosecutors, two men forced their way into a residence, and the confrontation moved into the street. During the incident, a 60-year-old woman suffered serious injuries, and one of the attackers was shot and killed. Officials said several shootings also occurred on Monday.
While authorities investigate these cases, police department data shows violent crime declining in Philadelphia. The city has recorded 18 homicides so far in 2026, compared with 37 during the same period last year. Overall, violent crime is down 13 percent. Gun robberies and armed assaults have dropped by more than a quarter during the first nine weeks of the year. Property crimes such as burglaries and residential theft are down 15 percent.
Krasner said the decline in crime is encouraging but added that even one victim is too many. “I’m never going to celebrate as long as there’s a single victim of crime,” he said.
During the press conference, a screen displayed the phrase “We outside too.” Krasner explained that the phrase refers to prosecutors, the Philadelphia Police Department, the FBI, and residents who are working to identify people involved in retaliatory violence. Investigators are also paying attention to communication that happens through smartphones and social media.
Assistant District Attorney William Fritze, who leads the district attorney’s Gun Violence Task Force and digital forensics lab, said investigators frequently rely on digital evidence collected from phones to identify shooters. Prosecutors use that information to present cases to grand juries and secure long prison sentences for repeat violent offenders. Some of those sentences have ranged from 40 to 80 years.
Fritze explained that digital records often reveal a person’s involvement in more than one crime. “There’s no deleting a digital footprint,” he said.
Krasner also shared a message with residents through a video posted on Instagram. Standing outside in Philadelphia, he said the phrase “we outside” is commonly used by people in the city to describe being present in their neighborhoods, enjoying the weather, and spending time together in the community.
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In the video he said Philadelphia has experienced troubling incidents even though crime has dropped during the past five years. He warned that retaliation and street violence will not be tolerated and said anyone who commits such acts will end up in jail. Krasner referenced groups identified as YBC, CCK, and “02 to 4,” explaining that individuals connected to those groups are already incarcerated.
He closed the message by urging residents to choose positive actions and avoid violence while authorities continue investigating the recent incidents across the city.
