Josh Kruger, a freelance journalist and former Philadelphia city employee, was shot and killed in his home early Monday. Police responded at about 1:30 a.m. and found Kruger shot seven times in the chest and abdomen. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. There have been no arrests in the shooting, andno weapon has been recovered.

The 39-year-old Kruger lived in the city’s Grays Ferry neighborhood was previously employed by the Philadelphia City Paper and Philadelphia Weekly. Kruger also previously worked in communications for the city, first in the mayor’s office and then for the Office of Homeless Services and Department of Health. He had recent worked as a freelance journalist, with bylines in the Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Citizen.

District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement: “Josh deserved to write the ending of his personal story. As with all homicides, we will be in close contact with the Philadelphia Police as they work to identify the person or persons responsible so that they can be held to account in a court of law. I extend my deepest condolences to Josh’s loved ones and to all those mourning this loss.”

According to Krasner, Kruger was openly queer and often wrote about LGBTQ+ topics, as well as drug abuse and homelessness. The district attorney’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee added in a statement: “Many of us knew Josh Kruger as a comrade who never stopped advocating for queer Philadelphians living on the margins of societ. His struggles mirrored so many of ours — from community rejection, to homelessness, to addiction, to living with HIV, to poverty — and his recovery, survival, and successes showed what’s possible when politicians and elected leaders reject bigotry and work affirmatively to uplift all people.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney wrote on X: “Shocked and saddened by Josh Kruger’s death. He cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident in his public service and writing. Our administration was fortunate to call him a colleague, and our prayers are with everyone who knew him.”

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