3 Get Life In Deadly Quadruple Philly Basketball Court Shooting

PHILADELPHIA — Three men have been convicted and sentenced of murder and related crimes in connection with a 2023 deadly shooting at a Philadelphia playground and basketball court.

According to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Tyyon Bates, 21, Quaza Lopez, 22, and Eric Reid, 23, were all convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, one count each of conspiracy to commit murder, firearm violations, possession of an instrument of crime, and four counts of recklessly endangering another person.

On Monday, the three were sentenced to three consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole, followed by 24 to 48 years.

The shooting happened at about 6 p.m. Aug. 11, 2024 at the 8th and Diamond Playground in North Philadelphia.

Police were called to the area for a shooting and found multiple shooting victims.

Killed were Nyreese Moore, Naasir Folk, and Isaiah Williams. Jeffrey Pressley survived after being shot in his abdomen.

Video footage from the area captured a White Chevrolet Silverado quad-cab circle the area four times before stopping on Darien Street.

Five people were seen getting out of the truck and rushing onto the basketball court, where they opened fire, authorities said.

Video surveillance reveals the lead gunman — the first to enter the basketball courts — was shot in the upper legs by friendly fire during the shooting.

Four small children — each appearing under the age of six — were seen playing on the sidewalk next to the basketball court and running for their lives when the shooting began.

The Chevrolet drove away from the area, heading east on Diamond Street, just before 6 p.m.

Investigators learned Bates bought a 2015 White Chevrolet Silverado for $225 about three hours before the shooting.

Surveillance video captured the tag of the truck, which was ultimately recovered from a vacant lot on the 1700 block of N. 6th Street.

Video surveillance from the vacant lot revealed the site was used as a staging area both before and after the shooting, which allowed authorities to identify Lopez and Reid. The video also showed Bates being carried out of the Silverado and into another vehicle.

On Aug. 11, 2023, Camden County Detectives told Philadelphia investigators that sometime after 6:30 p.m. a black male shooting victim who identified himself as Bates had been dropped off at Virtua Marlton Hospital and was subsequently transported to Cooper Medical Center in Camden, which is confirmed by surveillance video from the hospital.

A review of social media, cell phone records, and cell phone extractions revealed the meticulous plans of Bates, Lopez, and Reid, as well as their efforts to escape without capture.