South Street Shooter Got Gun Permit In Delco Despite Gun Case: Report

Philadelphia PA

09 June, 2022

10:21 AM

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PHILADELPHIA — A new report shows one of the gunmen involved in the deadly South Street shooting was issued his gun permit despite a pending gun charge in Delaware County. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gregory Jackson, 34, was issued his permit to carry a firearm by the Delaware County Sheriff in October 2021. Authorities in Philadelphia said Jackson was the first person to fire shots at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday on the 200 block of South Street. Jackson was shot and killed by a man he is accused of attacking, Micah Towns. The permit was issued despite Jackson being found in possession of a firearm without a license to carry by Pennsylvania State Police in Delaware County back in December 2020, court records show. However, the Inquirer reports Jackson's charges were never docketed, which led the permit to being issued. Jackson's charges only were docketed on May 10 when state police reviewed pending cases and noticed he had not been formally charged, according to the outlet. Were Jackson convicted on the gun charge, he would have been legally barred from being issued a carry permit. Jackson and two others — Alexis Quinn, 27, and Kris Minners, 22, both of whom were innocent bystanders — were killed in the shooting. Eleven other people, including Towns, who Jackson is alleged to have targeted, were hurt in the shooting. The shooting stemmed from an altercation between Jackson and Towns. As Towns was walking down South Street, he passed Jackson and two other men, one being Rashaan Vereen who is charged with attempted murder and related crimes, according to authorities said. Words were exchanged between the men, then Jackson punched Towns in the face, she said. During the altercation, Jackson pulled out a 9mm handgun, according to authorities. Towns was then in the middle of the street when Jackson fired at him, but Towns fired back, striking and killing Jackson, authorities said. Authorities said Towns was on the ground when he fired back at Jackson, in what they said was an act of self-defense. Towns is not being charged, according to authorities. Between Jackson and Towns, 17 shots were fired. Vereen person then picked up Jackson's gun and gave it to another person who left the area, according to authorities. That's when Quran Garner began firing in what Pescatore said is believed to be an attempt to help Towns and stop Jackson, although Jackson was already down and it had been 20 to 30 seconds since the initial shots were fired. When Garner stopped firing, a police officer shot at him, striking him in the hand and forcing him to drop the gun, Pescatore said. That officer, a 3-and-a-half-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department assigned to the 18th District, has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the Officer Involved Shooting Investigation and Internal Affairs investigations, per department protocol. The gun was recovered, and Pescatore said it was a ghost gun with an extended magazine. Garner ran to American Street, then to Fourth and Bainbridge streets, where he told police he was shot during the incident, she said. He was then taken to Thomas Jefferson Hospital. Garner has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of assault of a law enforcement officer, violations of the uniform firearms act, and related offenses. Vereen person stayed at the scene to aid Jackson, she said. He later gave his name and address to police, according to authorities. Vereen has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, aggravated assault, obstructing administration of law, tampering with evidence, and related offenses. Three 9 mm and one .45 caliber guns were recovered in the shooting. Authorities are working to determine who was struck by which firearm. Police are looking for another person in connection with the shooting. Anyone who has information on the shooting is urged to submit a tip by calling or texting 215-686-8477.