Nearly 2 Dozen Philly Gang Members Charged for Shootings Bragged in Music Videos

Suspects accused of over 20 shootings, including 5 murders, used social media to promote their crimes

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Nearly two dozen alleged Philadelphia gang members and gang associates were charged Wednesday in connection with a string of more than 20 shootings across the city going back several years, including five murders. Prosecutors accused the suspects of bragging about the shootings in music videos published online, which they say perpetuated "cyclical" violence as rival gangs retaliated.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of gang-related gun violence in Philadelphia, where suspects have used social media and music videos to promote their criminal activities. It also raises concerns about the influence of "drill music" and how it can potentially fuel further violence in communities.

The details

The District Attorney's Office announced charges against 19 alleged members and associates of the Young Bag Chasers (YBC), Campers Clappers Klappers (CCK), and Parkside Killers (PSK) gangs. The suspects were charged with a total of 21 shootings across Philadelphia between September 2022 and May 2024, including five murders. More than 30 people were injured in these incidents, including an 8-year-old and a group attending a memorial for a previous gun violence victim.

  • The shootings took place between September 2022 and May 2024.
  • The suspects were charged on February 25, 2026.

The players

Anthony Woodson

One of the suspects charged with murder and related crimes.

William Fritze

Chief of the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force, who criticized the suspects for "monetizing" their crimes through music videos.

Anna Walters

Assistant District Attorney, who said gang members were using social media and music videos to "brag" about their crimes.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of the ways in which they are getting their message out there is via social media, and via music videos. ...I think it's horrific what they've done with music.”

— Anna Walters, Assistant District Attorney (fox29.com)

“They're monetizing this. ...We're not dealing with drug dealers shooting at each other. We're not dealing with some sort of corrupt organization. The corrupt organization is the fact that the citizens of Philadelphia are going on and watching drill music. And then the commercials come on, and these gang members are getting paid.”

— William Fritze, Chief of the Gun Violence Task Force (fox29.com)

What’s next

The remaining suspects who were arrested on February 25th will face trial in the coming months. Prosecutors are expected to seek lengthy prison sentences for the suspects charged with murder and other serious crimes.

The takeaway

This case underscores the dangerous intersection of gang violence, social media, and the music industry in Philadelphia. It highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the root causes of this cyclical violence, including community engagement, youth outreach, and cracking down on the online glorification of criminal activities.