Philadelphia Authorities Solve Years-Old Shootings Using Social Media Evidence

19 people arrested in connection with multiple shootings and murders in the city since 2022

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced the arrest of 19 people in connection with a series of shootings and murders in the city dating back to 2022. Investigators said they were able to solve these years-old crimes in part by using social media content, including 'drill music' videos, that helped link suspects to the incidents.

Why it matters

This case highlights how social media posts and online activity can provide crucial evidence for law enforcement, even in long-running investigations. It also underscores the growing role of 'drill music' - a genre that often glorifies violence - in fueling retaliatory crimes in some communities.

The details

Authorities said the 19 people arrested were 'crime-drivers' linked to multiple shooting and murder cases. They described how the suspects would brag about their crimes in social media posts and music videos, which then led to further violence as rivals sought retaliation. Officials said the videos were sometimes even monetized, showing the 'arrogance' of the perpetrators.

  • The crimes being investigated date back to 2022.
  • The arrests were made in early 2026 following a multi-year investigation.

The players

Philadelphia District Attorney's Office

The local prosecutor's office that led the investigation and announced the arrests.

William Fritze

A member of the DAO's Gun Violence Task Force who spoke about the case.

Anna Walters

An Assistant District Attorney who discussed the role of social media evidence.

Capt. James Kearney

A Philadelphia police official who commented on the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“It took us a little bit, but we figured it out. We got justice for you today.”

— William Fritze, Gun Violence Task Force, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office (6abc.com)

“The way they fuel themselves, fuel their music is via violence. And we see that through their music videos.”

— Anna Walters, Assistant District Attorney (6abc.com)

“This is arrogance. This is, ''I'm going to go out and do a shooting, and then I'm going to mock you,'”

— William Fritze, Gun Violence Task Force, Philadelphia District Attorney's Office (6abc.com)

“You cannot brag about violence. You cannot make music about violence you've committed without consequences here.”

— Anna Walters, Assistant District Attorney (6abc.com)

“This is a good day for the police department to see these people finally held accountable. They might have thought they got away with it, these are several years old, but they didn't.”

— Capt. James Kearney (6abc.com)

What’s next

Authorities said more arrests are pending as part of this ongoing investigation.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates how social media evidence, including the growing influence of 'drill music', can be a powerful tool for law enforcement to solve even long-running violent crimes. It also highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex factors driving gang violence in urban communities.