What to Know
- Temple University student Samuel Sean Collington, of Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed Sunday afternoon along the 2200 block of North Park Avenue in North Philadelphia. He was just 21.
- “This is a tragedy in every sense of the word,” a spokesperson for the school wrote. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, friends and the entire Temple community during this tremendously difficult time.”
- Collington’s mother called her son’s murder a “horrible injustice” and a “travesty like you have no idea.” She also said she’ll do anything to bring the person responsible to justice.
Loved ones are mourning a Temple University student who was shot and killed off-campus in North Philadelphia Sunday afternoon.
Samuel Sean Collington, 21, of Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, was on the 2200 block of North Park Avenue at 1:32 p.m. when a gunman opened fire.
Samuel Collington
Collington was shot twice in the chest. He was taken to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:57 p.m. No weapons were recovered and no arrests have been made. Police have not released information on any suspects or what led to the shooting.
Temple University later confirmed with NBC10 that Collington was a political science student at the school. He was set to graduate in the spring from the College of Liberal Arts.
“This is a tragedy in every sense of the word. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, friends and the entire Temple community during this tremendously difficult time,” a spokesperson for the school wrote.
Collington was also a fellow in the office of the City Commissioner.
“Samuel was an incredibly talented and engaged young man,” City Commissioner Omar Sabir wrote. “During his brief time with our office, Samuel exemplified an incredible passion for engaging voters and was an indispensable member of our team. Sam’s death is a tremendous loss for the City Commissioners and all who knew him.”
The shooting occurred about three to four blocks away from Temple’s campus. Neighbors told NBC10 several Temple students live in the area.
Collington’s mother told NBC10 her son was home Sunday morning and drove back to school rather than take the train because he had fresh laundry after the Thanksgiving break.
Collington’s mother called her son’s murder a “horrible injustice” and a “travesty like you have no idea.” She also said she’ll do anything to bring the person responsible to justice.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Samuel Collington, and strongly condemn this and any acts of violence in our city,” a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office said. “We grieve every life lost to violence, and we’re heartbroken for Samuel’s friends and family as they cope with this unimaginable loss. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, the Temple University community, and his colleagues in the City Commissioners’ Office.”
So far this year there have been at least 506 homicides, making 2021 the deadliest year on record in Philadelphia.
If you have any information on the shooting, please call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.