A 27-year-old Philadelphia man has been arrested following disturbing video footage that showed him violently attacking homeless individuals near the city’s Convention Center on Independence Day.
Naeem Morgan was taken into custody on Monday after police identified him through surveillance footage and the viral social media video that captured him assaulting six people who were sleeping on the pavement. The footage, which garnered thousands of views online, showed Morgan yelling at the victims before throwing bottles and other projectiles at their heads.
Philadelphia Police charged Morgan with possessing instruments of crime, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, and harassment.
Unprovoked Attacks Caught on Camera
The attacks occurred on 4 July near the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where several homeless individuals had sought shelter for the night. The video, filmed by members of Morgan’s group, showed him approaching people who were asleep on the pavement before launching unprovoked assaults.
In the footage, Morgan can be seen grabbing water bottles from the ground and hurling them at sleeping individuals, whilst also kicking one victim in the head. Throughout the attacks, he repeatedly screamed at the victims to “get a job” as his companions filmed the incidents on their mobile phones and laughed.
Through further investigation, including the recovery of additional video from the area, detectives were able to identify the suspect as Naeem Morgan,” the Philadelphia Police Department said in a statement released on Monday.
Community Outrage
The violent attacks have sparked widespread condemnation from homeless advocates and service providers in Philadelphia. Barry Martin, programme director at St John’s Hospice on Race Street, expressed his shock at the footage.
“I have never seen anything like that in my life here, it’s just really depressing and just really hurtful for us,” Martin told local media. “Where is our humanity? Where is the heart that we are supposed to carry with us as we walk around this city?”
St John’s Hospice operates a soup kitchen that serves approximately 300 men, women, and children daily. The organisation has been providing crucial services to Philadelphia’s homeless population since 1963, offering hot meals, case management, and temporary shelter.
Martin revealed he had recently met with city officials to discuss solutions for the growing number of people sleeping in the tunnels near the Philadelphia Convention Center, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the area’s homeless community.
Seeking Online Attention
Police believe Morgan’s actions were motivated by a desire for online attention or “clout” amongst his peer group. The decision to film and share the attacks on social media ultimately led to his identification and arrest.
One homeless shelter resident, who requested anonymity, said: “I just hope they catch him and get him off the street. Let him go sit somewhere and think about it.”
The viral nature of the video has drawn attention to both the vulnerability of homeless individuals and the concerning trend of people committing crimes for social media notoriety.
Rising Homelessness in Philadelphia
The attacks come as Philadelphia grapples with increasing homelessness for the third consecutive year. According to the city’s annual point-in-time count conducted in January 2024, there were 5,191 people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia—a 10 per cent increase from the 4,725 recorded in 2023.
The survey revealed that 976 individuals were living unsheltered, representing a 38 per cent surge compared to the previous year. This marks the first time since 2020 that the city’s homeless population has exceeded 5,000.
Centre City, where the attacks occurred, experienced a 23 per cent increase in unsheltered homelessness, whilst the Kensington area saw a similar rise and now accounts for 35 per cent of the total unsheltered population.
Systemic Challenges
The demographic breakdown of Philadelphia’s homeless population reveals significant disparities. Approximately 68 per cent of homeless individuals are Black, despite Black residents comprising only 40 per cent of the city’s overall population.
Additionally, 17 per cent of the homeless population are minors under 18, whilst 16 per cent are aged 65 or older—a particularly vulnerable group facing health issues and fixed incomes amid the city’s housing affordability crisis.
The point-in-time count also found that 43 per cent of those entering shelters during the 2023 survey were experiencing homelessness for the first time, reflecting how the city’s housing affordability crisis continues to push more residents onto the streets.
Official Response
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration has been working to address the homelessness crisis since taking office in January. The city recently appointed Cheryl Hill, formerly of the anti-homelessness nonprofit Project HOME, to lead the Office of Homeless Services.
Hill is currently developing a new strategy to address systemic homelessness in Philadelphia, according to city spokesperson Sherylle Linton Jones. The administration has also proposed building a $100 million drug treatment facility and shelter in Holmesburg, expected to house more than 600 people.
No Reported Injuries
Whilst no injuries were reported from Morgan’s attacks, the incidents have highlighted the daily dangers faced by Philadelphia’s homeless population. The city’s Office of Homeless Services operates a hotline at 215-232-1984 for those seeking help for individuals experiencing homelessness.
As Morgan awaits further legal proceedings, advocates continue to call for increased support and protection for the city’s most vulnerable residents, emphasising that homelessness should be addressed through compassion and services rather than criminalisation or violence.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the humanity that should guide interactions with those experiencing homelessness, particularly as the city works to find comprehensive solutions to this growing crisis.
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