October 23, 2019
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
Freddy Perez of Chester, Delaware County, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 2-year-old Nikolette Rivera. She was killed Sunday at her home in Kensington.
A Chester, Delaware County man was taken into custody for the shooting death of a 2-year-old girl killed in Kensington on Sunday, Philadelphia police said. A second suspect was also taken into custody and held on unrelated charges amid an ongoing investigation.
Acting Police Commissioner Christine Coulter said police arrested Freddy Perez on Tuesday from his home in Chester, and he is expected to be charged with murder, nine counts of attempted murder, and conspiracy, Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nikolette Rivera, 2, was shot in the back of the head after a gunman opened fire into her home on the 3300 block of North Water Street., 6ABC reports. She died in her mother's arms.
Rivera's mother, 24, and a 33-year-old contractor, who had been working inside the home, also were shot and taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment. The mother was hit in her head and back. The contractor was shot in the stomach. Both remain hospitalized.
Police said that the house was targeted due to a conflict with the girl's father, who was not home at the time of the shooting. Police believe it may be drug related.
Late on Monday afternoon, police said they took a second man into custody. Perez and the second man, who was not identified, are being linked to a second shooting at another home on the 400 block of East Clearfield Street that occurred minutes prior to the Water Street shooting.
A second male suspect has been taken into custody for the murder of 2-year-old Nikolette Rivera. This suspect is currently being held on unrelated charges. This remains a highly active and fluid investigation. We will update w/ additional info in the near future.
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) October 23, 2019
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