PHILADELPHIA, PA — Kalief Ladson, a 29-year-old Philadelphia resident, faced the consequences of his actions this week as he was sentenced to 144 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of ammunition by a felon. This sentencing comes after a harrowing event that unfolded on January 23, 2023, on the streets of South Philadelphia.
During the morning hours of that day, Ladson and an accomplice parked their vehicle near 2100 S. 8th Street before a troubling scene played out. Brandishing a semiautomatic firearm equipped with an extended magazine, Ladson fired at least 17 shots at a group of individuals on a nearby corner, causing panic among innocent bystanders who scrambled for safety. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video and meticulously examined by the Philadelphia Police Department, leading to Ladson’s identification from the footage.
Following subsequent legal proceedings, including a grand jury indictment and trial, Ladson was found guilty of one count of possession of ammunition by a felon. U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero expressed grave concern over the potential consequences of Ladson’s behavior, emphasizing the danger it posed to the community and the need to hold such offenders accountable.
“Firing a fusillade of shots at people on a busy Philly street — in broad daylight — is beyond reckless,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “This easily could have turned into a mass tragedy. Kalief Ladson has proven he’s too dangerous to walk free right now. He’s got the next 12 years behind bars to think about what he’s done and how lucky he was not to kill anybody. In the meantime, we and our partners will continue to go after these violent offenders determined to wreak havoc in our city.”
Eric J. DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division, reaffirmed the commitment to combating violent crimes like Ladson’s, highlighting the grave risks such reckless behavior brings to local neighborhoods. The case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative effort aimed at reducing violent crime and enhancing community safety through strategic enforcement and partnerships with community organizations.
This case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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