Philly DA downgrades charges of man accused of killing woman in Center City

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office downgraded the charges against a man accused of shooting and killing a woman in Center City last week.

John Kelly, 45, was initially charged with murder, violation of the uniform firearms act, possessing an instrument of crime and tampering with evidence in connection to the shooting death of 33-year-old Lauren Jardine.

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, however, the District Attorney’s Office announced that Kelly’s murder charge was downgraded to voluntary manslaughter based on their review of new evidence. While the murder charge was dropped, Kelly remains charged with violation of the uniform firearms act, possession of an instrument of crime and tampering with evidence.

The incident occurred on Friday, Sept. 5, around 5:50 p.m. along the 1200 block of Chestnut Street.

Investigators told NBC10 Kelly and his girlfriend – who are both unhoused and known to frequent the area – were involved in an argument when Jardine intervened.

“It appears that she inserted herself into whatever was going on, unrelated to her,” Jeff Hojnowski, Assistant Chief with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office’s Homicides & Non-Fatal Shootings Unit, told NBC10. “Some reports are that the shooter pulls out a screwdriver that he kept on him. There are other reports that she pulls out the gun first. The gun was hers. She initially possessed the gun and brought it to the location with her.”

Video that circulated on social media shows a man – who investigators identified as Kelly – fighting with Jardine and shooting her. Police said Kelly repeatedly punched her and fired multiple shots at her.

“As he gets off of her, he’s kind of standing off to her right hand side as she’s attempting to get up,” Hojnowski said. “You hear another gunshot, which I believe to be the fatal gunshot wound.”

A witness – who did not want to be identified – also told NBC10 Jardine was shot six times.

“She was fighting with the homeless guy outside the store,” the witness said. “That woman took a gun out and she had a gun but then the homeless guy took the gun from the woman. He shot the woman at least six times.”

Jardine was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead at 7:18 p.m.

After the shooting, Kelly allegedly took the gun and tried to hide it in a mailbox. Kelly was arrested and the gun was recovered, investigators said.

“The gun was reported stolen from someone in Philadelphia during a car theft,” Hojnowski said. “It’s not clear how she became in possession of it. But she was not licensed to carry. Neither of these individuals involved were licensed to carry.”

There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.

The District Attorney’s Office said that the gun was listed as stolen from a car theft, but officials do not know how Jardine got the weapon.

Lauren Jardine’s family speaks out

The family of Lauren Jardine told NBC10 they were heartbroken and trying to take things one day at a time since her death.

“She’s very funny, smart, charming. It’s a lot. It’s a lot right now,” Lamir Jardine, the victim’s brother, said.

Lauren was a guest speaker at the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Education last year.

“She always was a standup person and looked out for you if she could,” her brother said. “If something was wrong, she will definitely speak up. She don’t have a problem speaking her mind.”