A Philadelphia left-wing reporter who disputed reports of soaring crime under the watch of George Soros-funded district attorney Larry Krasner was shot dead in his home on Monday.
Reporter Josh Kruger was shot dead in the 2300 block of Watkins Street at 1:28 a.m. Monday.
Kruger, 39, sustained several gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:13 a.m.
In July, Kruger posted on X:
“Look, it’s that lawless land of liberals in Philly where shootings are…dropping to levels not seen in years.”
“We are dependent on national trends, for better or worse. It’s unfair to blame local cops for rising crime, inaccurate to credit with drops,” he wrote.
Look, it's that lawless land of liberals in Philly where shootings are…dropping to levels not seen in years.
— Josh Kruger (@JoshKrugerPHL) July 20, 2023
We are dependent on national trends, for better or worse. It's unfair to blame local cops for rising crime, inaccurate to credit with drops: https://t.co/PkUA70joAC
Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said police believe Kruger was shot at the bottom of the stairs inside his home, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
After being shot, Kruger went outside to get help.
Vanore noted no signs of forced entry in Kruger’s home, and no arrests have been made.
“Either the door was open, or the offender knew how to get the door open,” he said.
“We just don’t know yet.”
According to unnamed sources, the shooting resulted from a drug-related incident or a domestic dispute.
Police also found text messages from a former partner on Kruger’s phone, which were classified as “troubling.”
Kruger’s website said he had experience with “homelessness, addiction, H.I.V., poverty, and trauma,” infused his work, which appeared to have a liberal slant.
Never go to Philadelphia https://t.co/GhTlP16G6i
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 2, 2023
Kruger was known as a left-wing justice advocate and wrote for news outlets such as The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Citizen, NBC News reported.
He also worked as a spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services under Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration.
Kenney said he was “shocked and saddened” by Kruger’s death.
“Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing.”
“His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did — and his light was dimmed much too soon.”
Journalist Andy Ngo also noted that Kruger expressed support for Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
“Breaking: Leftist journalist and activist Josh Kruger @JoshKrugerPHL has been tragically shot dead at his Philadelphia home,” Ngo wrote, posting a tweet from Kruger.
“Kruger has long downplayed gun violence in his city and publicly chastised others who spoke about it.”
Breaking: Leftist journalist and activist Josh Kruger @JoshKrugerPHL has been tragically shot dead at his Philadelphia home. Kruger has long downplayed gun violence in his city and publicly chastised others who spoke about it. pic.twitter.com/pcl5c4Z1Y8
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) October 2, 2023
Author Ryan James Girdusky echoed NGO’s thoughts:
“After claiming that Philadelphia was safe under a Soros DA, Josh Kruger was murdered in his home. Rest in peace. People need to wake up,” he posted.
After claiming that Philadelphia was safe under a Soros DA, Josh Kruger was murdered in his home.
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) October 2, 2023
Rest in peace. People need to wake up. https://t.co/q8o9PQdnQq pic.twitter.com/zUZtyTP6JK
The posts referred to Krasner, who was elected Philadelphia district attorney in 2017 after billionaire George Soros plowed $1.7 million into his campaign, WHYY-TV reported.
In late August, Kruger had posted about threats that included vandalism at his home.
READ: Alex Soros: ‘Defeating’ MAGA is My Main Priority in 2024
