A freelance journalist from Philadelphia was shot dead in her home by intruders Monday morning, two weeks after she claimed she was threatened by someone calling themselves “Lady Diabla, She-Devil of the Streets.”
Josh Kruger, 39, collapsed on a Point Breeze neighborhood street after the killer entered his home at 1:30 a.m. and shot him multiple times at the bottom of the stairs, police said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Kruger was staggered outside for help and rushed to a hospital where he died less than an hour later, officials reportedly said.
There were no signs of forced entry and no motive was released for the murder.
Kruger is the former director of communications for the city’s Office of Homeless Services and recently published freelance articles and editorials about the city’s most vulnerable communities for outlets like the Inquirer.
Philadelphia reporter Josh Kruger was shot and killed in his home Monday morning.Twitter/Josh Kruger
“Either the door is open, or the offender knows how to open the door,” Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore is reported to have said. “We don’t know yet.”
Two weeks ago, Kruger took to Facebook to complain about mysterious threats from someone calling themselves “Lady Diabla, She-Devil of the Streets.”
The person came to her home looking for their boyfriend “a man I’ve never met once in my life,” and threatened Kruger, according to the outlet. The post was not visible on Kruger’s profile Monday afternoon.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said he was “shocked and saddened” by Kruger’s death.
Shocked and saddened by the death of Josh Kruger. He cares deeply about our city and its people, which is evident in his public service and writing.
Our administration was fortunate to call him a colleague, and our prayers are with all who knew him. https://t.co/dnRxQ0Ic3W
— Mayor Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) October 2, 2023
“Josh cares deeply about our city and its people, which is evident in his public service and in his writing,” Kenney wrote. “His intelligence, creativity, passion, and intelligence shone brightly in everything he did – and his light was dimmed too soon.”
District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement that prosecutors are working with police to find the person who killed Kruger. The DA also praised Kruger as someone who “raised up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our community – especially homeless people living with addiction.”
Krasner went on to describe her as “an openly queer writer who writes about her own journey as a survivor of substance use disorder and homelessness” and “deserves to write the ending of her personal story.”
Kruger is a former city official who supports the homeless, gay and drug addict communities.Twitter/Josh Kruger
The Democratic LGTBQ+ Advisory Committee also issued a statement mourning its “comrades who never stop supporting queer Philadelphians who live on the fringes of society.
“We are very disappointed that Josh’s life has been ended so violently. We urge anyone with information that could lead to an arrest and prosecution for Josh’s murder to contact the Philadelphia Police or the DA’s Office directly.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
