Two men were found dead early on Monday, February 10, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, following a shooting incident, casting a pall over the city’s Super Bowl festivities. The crime scene showed evidence of around 55 gunshots, and a firearm was retrieved from the vicinity.
The fatal shooting took place around 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of Adams Avenue and Claridge Street in the Olney district of Philadelphia, about five miles from the heart of the downtown celebrations.
Responding to several 911 calls, law enforcement discovered Rudy Reyes, 30, dead in the passenger seat of a Jeep SUV. The body of Wesley Toribio-Diaz, 32, was found next to the same vehicle.
Security camera footage showed a white sedan pulling up next to the victim’s vehicle, two individuals exiting the sedan, and subsequently opening fire. The Jeep was struck more than 20 times, as evidenced by the markers scattered across the street. The assailants fled the scene in their sedan, last seen in the vicinity of Adams Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, according to police reports.
The double murder took place amid city-wide pandemonium and destruction that followed the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Law enforcement reported 18 arrests and 29 citations for disorderly conduct across the city in one of the most chaotic sports celebrations in Philadelphia’s recent history.
The downtown area around Market and Broad Street near City Hall bore the brunt of the upheaval. Vandals targeted multiple businesses, including Santander Bank, Chase Bank, Free People store, and Brooks Brothers, causing considerable damage. CCTV footage showed crowds smashing windows and looting goods while police attempted to restore order.
The Philadelphia Police Department increased patrols throughout the night, deploying additional units, mounted police, and bicycle patrols. Despite these efforts, jubilant mobs destroyed four city sanitation trucks and damaged numerous police vehicles.
The situation escalated near 12th and Market streets, where a delivery truck loaded with linens was commandeered by partygoers. The cargo was strewn across the intersection and set ablaze, requiring an emergency response. Firefighters faced hurdles navigating through the thick crowds to reach the fire.
Five police officers were injured during clashes with the crowd, resulting in arrests for assaulting law enforcement officers. Two additional individuals faced aggravated assault charges, while others were charged with reckless endangerment.
This episode of violence reflects a similar incident during the NFC Championship celebrations two weeks prior when a shooting left a 20-year-old man injured in the lower abdomen and hip region, and another man suffered minor gunshot wounds near Broad and Spring Garden streets. An 18-year-old suspect, Amere Wright, was later apprehended in relation to the shooting, and his clothing, mobile phone, and a loaded firearm were seized.
Infrastructure damage included five uprooted traffic light poles. Surveillance cameras recorded groups carrying the poles near historic sculptures. The police also reported extensive damage to bus shelters and street signs and vandalism on several building façades.
The Philadelphia Fire Department tackled multiple fires throughout the night, some of which were started using stolen property and debris. Officials reported six separate instances where crowds hindered the movement of emergency response vehicles.
The city’s Emergency Operations Center, activated for the Super Bowl celebrations, coordinated responses between police, fire, and emergency medical services throughout the night. Despite preventative measures, including greasing light poles and boosting police presence, authorities found controlling the mayhem across various city sectors challenging.
The victory parade, held on Friday, February 14, 2025, proceeded along Broad Street through Center City. Police had announced heightened security measures, including additional law enforcement officers and barricades along the parade route.
While investigators continue to analyze evidence from the double homicide, including surveillance footage and ballistic data, no suspects have been identified, nor has a motive been established.