Gun violence continues to surge in Philadelphia FOX 29's Dave Schratwieser reports. PHILADELPHIA - Gun violence continues to surge in the new year in Philadelphia with 27 murders reported so far. It was an execution-style hit right in the heart of one of South Philadelphia's upscale neighborhoods at 13th and Packer. The killing has neighbors on edge. Homicide detectives are now trying to determine if the murder of 25-year-old Quadir Noel is linked to a string of South Philly gang related shootings that left multiple victims wounded and at least four people dead. "Some groups are self-identifying as gangs, like 31st Street and 27th Street, Wilson Park to name a few. Yeah, it's just an ongoing battle. It appears that they're shooting at each other at a moment's notice," South Detectives Captain James Kearney said.