Atco Man Shot To Death - Update

Philadelphia Police are now looking for two suspects in the deadly shooting of a man who was driving along Columbus Boulevard. John Ferrante was to be a witness in an upcoming drug trial as early as this week. According to Ferrante`s attorney, Stephen Patrizio, "The information we were getting is that he may be indicted. The details of the case I wasn`t told."

When asked who told Ferrante he would be indicted, Patrizio replied "The U.S. Attorney`s Office and the DA`s office."

But before any indictment came down, Patrizio`s client was shot dead while waiting at a stoplight on Columbus Blvd. He had been visiting with his girlfriend, whose Pier 3 apartment was the subject of a search along with Ferrante`s South Philadelphia residence when he was arrested on suspicion of cocaine dealing roughly three weeks ago.

One law enforcement source tells Action News that Ferrante was preparing to testify in the case. If he was, his attorney knew nothing about it. "There was no scheduled hearing where he was going to testify against anyone," Patrizio insists.

From what police can tell, the 10:00 a.m. assassination was well planned. A rented, light-colored Chevy Impala pulled up alongside the 33-year-old Ferrante`s GMC Jimmy at the intersection on Columbus Blvd.

Marty Fader was also waiting at the red light. "I heard all that rapid sound of fire – pop pop pop pop pop. I said they`re shooting at somebody."

Seven of the 17 rounds of the nine millimeter handgun hit Ferrante. At least four others strayed and hit Fader`s van. As Ferrante slumped over the steering wheel, his car crashed into a parked truck and the shooter got back into the Impala, which then traveled northbound on Columbus Boulevard.

Shocked onlookers were able to make out the Pennsylvania plates: DYX-9645. Philadelphia Police Captain Thomas Lippo is asking for the public`s help in finding the shooters: "We`re asking anyone who would have information on that vehicle to call 911. That would be of great help to us."

Ferrante`s father – who declined to go on camera, fearing for his own safety – says his son had left his drug past behind him, and for the past year had been a mechanic with Mercedes Benz. The father also believes that if his son had decided to testify that he would have known about it, and his son never said anything about cooperating with authorities.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News