Who was Lashyd Merritt? IRS employee identified as one of five victims killed in Philadelphia mass shooting

Lashyd Merritt, a 22-year-old IRS employee, was identified as one of the five victims who were fatally shot after Kimbrady Carriker 40, randomly opened fire in Philadelphia's Kingsessing neighborhood on Monday, July 3. The suspect reportedly lived close to the scene of the crime and was armed with a rifle, pistol, extra magazines, and a police scanner. Carriker was also wearing a bulletproof vest and went on a shooting spree on Monday night that killed five people, including a 15-year-old boy.

The gunman, who is reportedly a BLM protestor, also injured two children, including a 2-year-old, before fleeing the scene. However, responding officers apprehend the suspect following a short chase.

Authorities identified the slain victims as Lashyd Merritt, 22, Dymir Stanton, 29, Ralph Moralis, 59, Daujan Brown, 15, and Joseph Wamah, Jr., 31.

Officials said that four of the victims, including Lashyd Merritt, were residents of the city's Kingsessing neighborhood. The teen boy with no known address was supposedly walking to a store when he was shot dead.

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Lashyd Merritt graduated from West Philadelphia's Overbrook High School

Lashyd Merritt (Image via Brianna Smith/Twitter)

The shooting reportedly took place at around 8:30 pm on Monday when Kimbrady Carriker, a computer engineer, in body armor, began randomly firing shots at people in the Kingsessing neighborhood.

Lashyd Merritt, who worked at IRS as a service representative, was reportedly out to get food when he was gunned down close to his house. Merritt died after he was shot multiple times in the chest and arm.

The victim's cousin Nikki Merritt told NBC News that he had lived in the neighborhood his entire life. Nikki said that her cousin had stepped out of his home to get some dinner when he was shot dead three to four houses down from where he lived.

"He was just going to the store to get his dinner for the night. He lived three or four doors down from where he was found. He grew up here," Nikki Merritt said.

Lashyd Merritt (Image via Brianna Smith/Twitter)

Nikki mentioned that Lashyd Merritt was a West Philadelphia's Overbrook High School graduate, and described him as a kind individual, who was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.

"He was just an overall good guy. He was always supportive and helpful to anybody. Family, friends. Anyone. If he thought he could help, he would," she said.

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Kimbrady Carriker has yet to be charged with the crime

As authorities continue to investigate the case, they said Kimbrady Carriker, who has a prior criminal record, has yet to be charged in the shooting. However, District Attorney Larry Krasner said that the suspect will be charged with multiple counts of murder.

Authorities investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting, have yet to disclose a motive. Meanwhile, the Commanding officer of the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit, Ernest Ransom, said that the suspect was also captured on surveillance footage near 56th Street near Chester and Springfield avenues aimlessly shooting at people.

Carriker reportedly fired shots at a 33-year-old mother and her twin two-year-old children who were inside a car. One of the toddlers was shot four times in the legs. The other child and the mother reportedly sustained injuries from broken glass during the shooting. Authorities said that all three of them are currently in stable condition.