Police said the 29-year-old man broke into the woman’s apartment before she shot him and later learned she knew him.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A woman fatally shot a masked man who police said broke into her apartment early Wednesday, then recognized him after first responders removed his mask while trying to provide medical aid.
Philadelphia police are investigating the Sept. 30 shooting, which happened around 5 a.m. at an apartment building in the 4600 block of Castor Avenue. Investigators said the woman heard glass breaking before encountering the masked man inside her second-floor apartment. The 29-year-old man was shot and died at the scene. Police have not publicly identified either person.
Chief Inspector Scott Small said investigators found evidence that the man gained access to the apartment after breaking glass near a rear entrance. Police believe he was able to reach inside and open a door before entering the home. Other reporting from the scene indicated the rear of the apartment could be reached by a fire escape.
The woman told investigators she heard someone breaking windows and then encountered the man inside the apartment. Small said the intruder had his face covered when the confrontation occurred and the woman fired one or two shots. First responders later removed the man’s mask while attempting to render medical aid.
After the mask was removed, police said the woman recognized the man and told investigators she had a prior relationship with him. Authorities initially did not publicly specify the nature of that relationship. A police source later told WPVI that the man was the woman’s ex-boyfriend, but police had not publicly confirmed that detail through an identified department official.
Investigators said they did not believe the man was carrying a weapon. Police also said the circumstances did not appear to indicate a random break-in because the woman recognized the man after his identity became apparent. Authorities had not released additional details about what may have led to the intrusion.
The woman remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to police. Authorities said she turned over a semiautomatic handgun to officers and was taken to the homicide unit for questioning. Police had not announced criminal charges against her in the initial reports reviewed for this story.
Detectives were also examining surveillance video from around the apartment building as they worked to establish the sequence of events. Investigators spent hours at the property collecting evidence following the shooting. The available reports did not indicate that police had reached a final determination about the case.
The shooting remained under investigation, with authorities still working to clarify the circumstances of the break-in and the relationship between the woman and the man. Police had not publicly released their names or announced a final investigative finding as of the latest reports reviewed.
Author note: Last updated Oct. 1, 2026.