Alish Corley sped away yesterday morning after someone started shooting along North Spangler Street in the city's Strawberry Mansion section.
But she couldn't outrun the bullets, one of which tore into her car and through the heart of her 5-year-old daughter, Cashae.
Corley rushed Cashae to the firehouse at 26th and York Streets, where medics took her to Temple University Hospital. She was pronounced dead just before 11:15 a.m.
"She was so full of life, and we lost her to the senseless violence that is everywhere in this city," said Tamika Carter, her aunt. "You get so tired hearing about kids being killed. Then it happens to you and feel what a tragedy it is."
Police released few details of the shooting. In addition to the Spangler crime scene, police roped off North 34th Street at West Huntingdon and Sergeant Streets, two blocks away.
Many different shell casings were found at the two locations. That, along with statements from residents, led detectives to theorize that Corley's car may have been caught in the middle of a moving gun battle.
Residents said yesterday's violence carried over from a fight that erupted Saturday at 1 a.m.
"But it's been going on a lot longer than that," said Kevin Gooden, 36, a plumber who is a block captain a couple of streets over. "There are people here who know what happened, and they need to step up, speak out, and help stop this killing."
No arrests had been made late yesterday, but at least two people were taken to the homicide unit for questioning. Late yesterday, police were guarding a house in the 2500 block of Spangler while a search warrant was sought.
While police hunted Cashae's killer, gun-control activists preparing for a rally in Harrisburg tomorrow said her death epitomized the need for stricter handgun laws.
"A 5-year-old should not be caught in the crossfire of a shooting," said Bilal Qayyum, of Men United for a Better Philadelphia. "If what happened to that little girl does not wake up folks, then I don't know what will."
Qayyum is walking from East Oak Lane to Harrisburg to raise awareness of the rally, which coincides with a special session at which lawmakers will gauge support for gun-violence legislation.
Cashae's death will become part of the rallying cry.
"She was so loved. She will be missed dearly," said Tom Burnett, her uncle. "Whenever I would go over there, she would jump on me and say, 'Uncle Tommy, give me some money.' And I would."
