A Philadelphia-based journalist met a tragic end early Monday morning when he was fatally shot in his residence.

The journalist, Josh Kruger, at around 1:30 a.m. in the Point Breeze neighbourhood of southern Philadelphia, was shot multiple times, taking at least seven bullet wounds to his chest and abdomen.

He collapsed outside his home while trying to seek help before the arrival of emergency responders and law enforcement.

Efforts were made to save Mr Kruger’s life as he was promptly transported to a nearby hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced dead shortly before 2:15 a.m.

Despite an urgent response from the authorities, the assailant managed to evade capture, casting a shroud of uncertainty over the motive behind the deadly attack. The Philadelphia Police Department, represented by Corporal Jasmine Reilly, has emphasized that it is too early to definitively establish whether Mr Kruger was specifically targeted due to his work as a journalist.

Mr Reilly stated, “It’s really early in the investigation. We’re going to be looking at every different angle in this incident to make sure that we get to the bottom of the motive and get the individual that did this horrible homicide.”

Notably, there were no signs of forced entry into Mr Kruger’s residence, leading investigators to believe that the perpetrator gained access to the journalist’s home before unleashing the fatal volley of bullets and then fleeing the scene.

Katherine Jacobsen, the United States programme coordinator at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), expressed her hope that the authorities would conduct a thorough and expedient investigation to unearth the motives behind the journalist’s tragic killing.

CPJ statistics reveal that, in 2022 alone, there were at least 67 documented killings of journalists and media workers worldwide.

However, the number of cases within the United States is markedly lower, with only 17 cases recorded since CPJ began tracking such incidents in 1992.

Before returning to journalism in 2021, Mr Kruger had served in various roles within Philadelphia for approximately five years, including communications director and spokesperson for the city’s Office of Homeless Services.

As a freelance journalist, he contributed to reputable publications such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Citizen, and the LGBTQ Nation, covering diverse topics, including the LGBTQ community and local and state politics.