In the early morning hours of June 24, 2023, 30-year-old Philadelphia resident Khalil Wilkes was found beside a Dodge Charger on Kelly Drive with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 3 a.m. The vehicle had its hood open and temporary Delaware tags; it was later determined to have been stolen. Wilkes was a father of two; his mother, Althea Wilkes, said she tried calling and texting him before learning of his death. Friends and family created an online memorial to share memories.

In mid-July 2023 the Philadelphia Police Department identified 21-year-old Arbri Pajollari-Kreka as a suspect and issued an active arrest warrant charging him with murder, violation of the uniform firearms act, and related offenses. Authorities have not released a motive or explained the relationship between Wilkes and the suspect. If anyone has information on this killing or the suspect’s whereabouts, please come forward.