Kimbrady Carriker gets up to 75 years for mass shooting that killed 5 in the Kingsessing section of Philadelphia
The man who admitted to killing five people and wounding several others in a 2023 mass shooting in the Kingsessing section of Philadelphia was sentenced Wednesday to 37.5 to 75 years in prison.
Kimbrady Carriker pleaded guilty to five counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in connection with the shooting on 56th Street and Chester Avenue in July of 2023.
Prosecutors said they agreed to the plea deal because there was a chance Carriker could have been found not guilty by reason of insanity.
"This is essentially a life sentence," prosecutor Bob Wainwright said. "Realistically, the 75 years and the amount of time you would expect him to actually serve would be well beyond any normal life expectancy."
Carriker would be nearly 80 years old before becoming eligible for parole.
Family members of those killed and wounded gathered outside the courtroom to speak about their loss. Odessa Brown, whose 15-year-old grandson Dajuan Brown was among the victims, brought photos of him to court.
"I was there when he passed. I was there when he said his last words. I was on the ground with him," Brown said. "He killed all these people. It's not fair that he gets 37 years."
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Jonah Wamah Jr., whose brother Joseph Wamah Jr. was killed, said, "I can hope the Lord will forgive him, but I kinda don't. Even though I'm a Christian."
Rafiq Fitzgerald, the father of another victim, said his son survived his physical wounds, but continues to struggle.
"He has survivor's remorse. So mentally he's still not there," Fitzgerald said.
Nesiyah Thomas-Brown spoke about losing her twin brother Dajuan.
"Dajuan was always there for me when I needed somebody, and now I lost myself when I lost my brother," she said.
