Police in Philadelphia said a journalist was shot and killed early Monday inside his home in what detectives described as a domestic-related incident.
Police said officers responded to a report of a shooting and screams in the Point Breeze neighborhood just before 1:30 a.m. Monday.
Authorities found Josh Kruger, 39, mortally wounded by gunfire on the sidewalk near his home. He died around 2:15 a.m. while being treated at a hospital.
Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said authorities believe someone entered the victim’s rowhouse and shot Mr. Kruger from the base of stairs, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Mr. Kruger then ran out of the house and yelled for help from his neighbors, the deputy commissioner said. There were no signs of forced entry at the home.
“Either the door was open, or the offender knew how to get the door open,” Commissioner Vanore told the newspaper. “We just don’t know yet.”
Law enforcement sources told The Inquirer that police recovered “troubling text messages” between Mr. Kruger and a former romantic partner on his phone.
Methamphetamine was also recovered from Mr. Kruger’s room.
Before his work as a freelance journalist and then a city of Philadelphia spokesperson, Mr. Kruger had drug addiction issues that led to periods of homelessness.
“Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing,” Mayor Jim Kenney said. “His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did — and his light was dimmed much too soon.”
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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