Lamont Rivers, a 40-year-old resident of Philadelphia, was killed on April 18, 2013. His death occurred amid a year when the city recorded 246 homicides, a majority committed with firearms; 81.3% of that year’s homicides involved guns. Rivers’ killing is described as one of many that reflected broader patterns in 2013: violence concentrated in neighborhoods with long-standing disinvestment, disproportionately affecting communities of color, and often tied to arguments, retaliation, or drug disputes.

The overview notes that most homicides that year happened outdoors and typically during late evening hours, and that gun availability and systemic social problems contributed to the crisis. Rivers’ death is presented as emblematic of those trends and as a reminder of the need for community-focused violence-reduction efforts. If anyone knew Lamont Rivers or has information about his case, please share it with investigators.