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Man fatally shot in Philadelphia's Gayborhood after Pride celebrations: "I am at a loss for words"

Friend remembers man killed in Philadelphia hours after Pride celebrations
Friend remembers man killed in Philadelphia hours after Pride celebrations 01:44

A 31-year-old man was shot and killed in the Gayborhood early Monday morning, Philadelphia police said. 

The shooting happened on the 200 block of South Camac Street just after 2:30 a.m., several hours after the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival were held in the Gayborhood on Sunday.

Police identified the 31-year-old man as Derwin Darnell Joseph Matthews Jr. of Philadelphia. He was shot in the stomach and taken to Jefferson Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m., police said. 

 "I am at a loss for words," said Jacen Bowman, who was a friend of the 31-year-old known as Derwin West Prodigy by his friends. 

Bowman, the president of the Philadelphia Black Pride and a member of the House and Ballroom Community, said he last hugged his friend on Sunday during the pride celebrations. 

Bowman said he woke up Monday morning and learned Matthews, his friend for 10 years who he watched grow up, had died. 

"It was more disbelief. Like I just hugged you last night," Bowman said. "I literally just hugged you, and now you're no longer here with us."

"I still can't even believe that I am writing a 'rest in peace' to him, it doesn't seem real," he added.

Bowman said Matthews was very protective and always made sure others were OK. Bowman also said his friend loved to cook.

"He has an infectious personality, but he was definitely somebody who always poured love into you," Bowman said. 

Bowman is asking anyone who saw anything to call the police in hopes of getting justice.

"Now is not the time to be quiet," Bowman said. "Now is the time to speak out. Now is the time to cooperate with police and the district attorney's office."

The shooting is under investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit.

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