Carlos Alberto Merced, 56, known to family as Page, was shot and killed at his workplace the morning of January 18, 2023. The shooting took place just after 8:20 a.m. inside an auto body shop on the 4300 block of Josephine Street in Philadelphia’s Frankford neighborhood after an argument with another man.

Merced suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, stomach, arm, and buttocks. He was transported to a nearby hospital but died a short time later. Police arrested Jose Ortiz Rodriguez within hours and charged him with murder and weapons offenses; Rodriguez was denied bail and had a prior felony conviction that made firearm possession unlawful.

Anyone who saw Merced at the shop that morning or who has information about the dispute is asked to come forward.