The first of five people killed by a mass shooter in Philadelphia last week was likely shot about 44 hours before the others, authorities said Sunday.
The Philadelphia Police Department said in a statement that its investigation, with the help of the local medical examiner’s office, determined that 31-year-old Joseph Wamah Jr. was killed on July 2.
On the evening of July 3, police said Wamah’s murder suspect, Kimbrady Carriker, 40, opened fire indiscriminately in a neighborhood southwest of Center City.
Those killed in this incident have been identified as Lashyd Merritt, 20; Dymir Stanton, 29; Ralph Moralis, 59; and Daujan Brown, 15. Boys aged 2 and 13 were injured and others were targeted but not beaten, authorities said.
Authorities said the shooter was wearing a ski mask and ballistic vest and was carrying an unmarked and unregistered ghost pistol, several magazines of ammunition and an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle.
The suspect, being held without bond, was charged with five counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon without a license and carrying firearms in public.
He was represented by a public defender. The Defender Association of Philadelphia did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest police statement.
Wamah was not known as a victim until after the gunfire ended on July 3. It was unclear whether he and the suspect knew each other; police believe the other victims were on the streets and sidewalks and were shot indiscriminately.
A senior law enforcement source briefed on the investigation said detectives believe Carriker is mentally ill. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said it was likely his office would request expert examinations of the defendant.
Police said Sunday that someone reported shots fired on July 2 in the area of Wamah’s residence, but officers were dispatched to the wrong location, more than 3 miles north.
A 911 caller reported gunshots in the area of 1600 S. 56th St. around 2 a.m., police said. Officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of North 56th Street and reported no evidence of a shooting, they said.
The case is part of the investigation, police said.
In a statement on Sunday, Krasner said, “The bereaved family of the deceased have been made aware of this new information, and I cannot express the grief I feel enough.”
He, however, praised the police for trying to shed light on Wamah’s death.
“Law enforcement must always act with integrity and follow the facts wherever they lead,” he said.
Carriker is scheduled to return to court on July 24.
This article originally appeared on NBCNews.com