Thomas Teagues, 22, was killed in Philadelphia on June 19, 2008. His death was one of many homicides that year as the city faced a high rate of violent crime, with most killings involving firearms and disproportionately affecting young adults under 30.

Reports place much of the violence in neighborhoods including North Philadelphia and parts of West Philadelphia, where poverty, limited economic opportunities, and gang activity were cited as contributing factors. Accounts also note witness intimidation and community distrust of law enforcement hindered investigations and contributed to low clearance rates for violent crimes.

What can readers who lived in Philadelphia in 2008 remember about conditions in those neighborhoods or about the case of Thomas Teagues?