On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Police Department announced it has charged Mehdi Fraiji, of the 900 block of South 15th Street, with aggravated assault, attempted murder, firearms violations, robbery and related offenses for the Oct. 20 incident in Rittenhouse Square. The 17-year-old, whom authorities are charging as an adult, turned himself in at the Central Detective Division Saturday.
The department stated that Fraiji and an unidentified and at-large conspirator attempted to rob a man and a woman near 19th and Walnut streets at approximately 9:30 p.m., with authorities stating that the local boy knew the duo.
They added that a water-peddling cyclist tried to intervene only to end up suffering five gunshot wounds to his shoulder and stomach. As of press time, the department had not revealed if the victim remained at Hahnemann University Hospital, where personnel had listed him in stable condition.
The complainants stated Fraiji, whose nickname they gave to police, and his reported accomplice fled without anything and raced in the direction of 19th and Walnut streets. On Oct. 19, authorities executed a search warrant on his house. He had not posted his $250,000 bail as of press time and awaits a Nov. 10 preliminary hearing.
