Who was Josh Kruger? Philadelphia journalist who overcame homelessness and addiction fatally shot inside his home
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: A Philadelphia journalist named Josh Kruger was shot to death inside his home on Sunday, October 1 at 1.30 am.
According to police, the 39-year-old man was shot seven times in the chest and abdomen inside his home located on the 2300 block of Watkins Street in the Point Breeze neighborhood, reports CBS News.
Are there any suspects in Josh Brugger's murder?
According to Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, there were no signs of forced entry into Kruger's residence.
"Either the door was open or the offender knew how to get the door open. We just don’t know yet," he said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Police did not recover any weapons at the crime scene. The investigation into Kruger's death is ongoing and no arrests have been made in the case.
Josh Kruger who had multiple gunshot injuries ran outside for help
Vanore stated that after the violent incident, Kruger ran outside his home seeking help.
After Kruger was found suffering multiple gunshot wounds, he was taken to Presbyterian Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2.13 am.
On his website, the 39-year-old man described himself as a "writer and communications expert known for weaving his unique lived experience with homelessness, HIV, Philadelphia’s ‘street economy,’ trauma, and poverty throughout his poverty and writing."
The website also mentions that before he returned to journalism in 2021, he worked as a spokesperson for City Hall.
"His writing has spurred government into action and shed light on communities and issues sometimes overlooked by traditional media," stated the website.
The website also added that Kruger was also a "militant bicyclist, Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian and parishioner at St Mark’s Church on Locust Street, and lives with his best friend, his senior cat with one tooth named Mason."
Josh Kruger worked on raising awareness about marginalized communities
Following Kruger's death, mayor Jim Kenney stated that he was "shocked and saddened" to learn the prominent journalist's tragic death.
"He cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident in his public service and writing," said Kenney.
"Our administration was fortunate to call him a colleague, and our prayers are with everyone who knew him," he added.
In a statement issued by District Attorney Larry Krasner on Monday, October 2, he stated that Kruger "lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities – particularly unhoused people living with addiction."
"Many of us knew Josh Kruger as a comrade who never stopped advocating for queer Philadelphians living on the margins of society,” read the District Attorney’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee's statement.
"His struggles mirrored so many of ours — from community rejection to homelessness, to addiction, to living with HIV, to poverty — and his recovery, survival, and successes showed what’s possible when politicians and elected leaders reject bigotry and work affirmatively to uplift all people," the statement added.
"Even while Josh worked for the Mayor, he never stopped speaking out against police violence, politicized attacks on trans and queer people, or the societal discarding of homeless and addicted Philadelphians," the statement continued.