Philly Gang Member Who Shot 7 People in One Day Convicted

Philadelphia, PA – Jalen Mickens entered a guilty plea on Thursday, October 12, for his involvement in three separate shootings in West Philadelphia. The conviction comes as a result of a collaborative effort between the District Attorney’s Gun Violence Task Force and other law enforcement agencies.

Mickens was on trial for incidents that took place on July 4, 2021. One of these was a deadly assault on a community barbecue in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood. The event, organized to celebrate the anniversary of a local clothing store, ended in tragedy when Sircarr Johnson, Jr., the organizer, and 21-year-old Salahaldin Mahmoud were killed.

Another woman was injured by gunshot wounds, and a fourth individual sustained injuries from shrapnel. A total of 103 fired cartridge casings were recovered from the scene by the Philadelphia Police Crime Scene Unit.

In relation to the Cobbs Creek event, Mickens pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault, VUFA No License, and simple assault.

ADA Jeff Palmer, Assistant Chief of the Gun Violence Task Force, stated, “The Philadelphia criminal legal system has helped ensure that Jalen Mickens can no longer harm the overwhelmingly peace-seeking residents of West Philadelphia.”

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, representing the 3rd District that includes Cobbs Creek, said, “I hope that the family of the victims and the entire community find some closure and peace knowing that one of the perpetrators of this reckless and senseless act of gun violence will be held accountable for his actions.”