A one-time Olympic hopeful and two of his friends are now facing charges after police say an argument over money with an ex-girlfriend led to a massive shootout in West Philadelphia over the weekend that left three people injured.
Paul Kroll and Cardell Hellams, 24, are both charged with attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, criminal conspiracy and other related offenses. Kroll's friend Gary Martin, 22, is also charged with obstructing justice and other related offenses.
Kroll, 21, is a Philadelphia boxer who lost in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Vargas, Venezuela in July. Police say he was with Hellams, Martin as well as a 15-year-old boy back on Aug. 20. The group confronted Kroll's ex-girlfriend, a 21-year-old woman, along with her 19-year-old neighbor, 16-year-old brother and 2-year-old daughter at a store on 49th and Haverford Avenue around 8 a.m., according to investigators.
Police say Kroll asked his ex-girlfriend for money and the two began arguing. The woman then left with her neighbor, daughter and brother and drove away. Unbeknownst to them, Kroll and his friends followed the woman as she drove home, according to investigators.
The woman, her daughter and 16-year-old brother later arrived at their home on the 100 block of S. 55th Street and went inside while her 19-year-old neighbor stood outside. Police say Kroll and his friends then arrived and confronted the 19-year-old neighbor. An argument ensued leading to Hellams pulling out a gun and opening fire on the 19-year-old man, police said.
The 19-year-old man ran into his home as both Hellams and Kroll shot at him, police said. At the time, the 19-year-old man’s father and two brothers were inside his home. As the shooting continued, the 19-year-old man’s family members grabbed their own weapons, which police say they legally owned, and began opening fire at Kroll and his friends, leading to a massive shootout, according to investigators.
During the shootout, Hellams was struck in the right leg while the 15-year-old boy was struck in the groin, hip and leg, police said. The 19-year-old man’s 25-year-old brother was also struck in the stomach.
Hellams is currently in stable condition while the 15-year-old boy and 25-year-old man are both in critical condition. No one else was injured during the shooting, police said.
While Kroll, Hellams and Martin were all arrested, police said the 19-year-old man’s family members will not face charges since they were defending themselves.
Philadelphia Police Lieutenant John Walker said they recovered four guns from the scene of the shooting, including a shotgun.
“These young men clearly have to resolve these situations in a better way,” Lieutenant Walker said. “There’s no reason to be firing a gun at 9:30 in the morning on a city street.”
Police continue to investigate the incident.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police
