Boy, 10, expected to survive after being shot in Frankford drive-by; $5k reward offered

Philadelphia police say a 10-year-old boy is in critical but stable condition after he was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting in Frankford.

It happened on the 2000 block Margaret Street around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

According to police, the boy was struck in the back of the head while he was walking home from school. He was taken to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. A family member identified the boy as Semaj.

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A family member provided this photo of 10-year-old Semaj.

FOX 29's Shawnette Wilson reports police took a man in custody on unrelated gun charges. Police say the man was trying to shield the 10-year-old boy from the shots and returned gunfire. He then tended to Semaj until more help arrived.

According to police, the gunman who fired the shot that struck the 10-year-old remains on the loose. Police are looking for a red or burgundy four-door Pontiac G6.

Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police on Friday set a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the gunman. 

“This was a senseless act of violence against a child walking home from school,” FOP Lodge 5 President John McNesby said. "We hope this reward will lead to the arrest of this reckless individual.”

MORE: Police release photos of car involved in drive-by shooting that injured boy in Frankford

Deputy Commissioner Joseph Sullivan called it "unacceptable" and says he hopes the community will come forward with information to solve the case. 

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SKYFOX flew over the scene Wednesday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

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