PHILADELPHIA — District Attorney Larry Krasner, alongside members of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Task Force (GVTF), announced the arrests of Salvatore Branco and Rhett Mazza for their involvement in a violent shootout that took place in July 2024 in the Moyamensing neighborhood.
Branco and Mazza face multiple charges stemming from the incident, which occurred on the 1300 block of Porter Street at approximately 5 p.m. on July 25, 2024. The shootout, which involved the exchange of approximately 20 gunshots, sent residents and children in the area scrambling for cover. A 72-year-old woman sustained a nonfatal gunshot wound, and a resident’s dog was fatally shot in the head during the exchange.
Branco has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault, violations of the Uniform Firearms Act (VUFA), including illegal firearm possession and carrying without a license, as well as charges related to the possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, and reckless endangerment. In addition, Branco is facing serious charges related to the straw purchase of eleven firearms, some of which have been linked to criminal activity across the city. These charges include Conspiracy, multiple counts of illegal firearm transfers, and providing false statements in firearm transactions.
Mazza is charged similarly, with two counts of Aggravated Assault, VUFA violations, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, and reckless endangerment.
The shootout, captured on surveillance cameras, highlighted the dangers posed by illegal firearms in the community. Residents were seen running for safety as Branco and Mazza fired at each other before fleeing the scene. Branco later turned himself in to authorities, surrendering the firearm used in the incident.
At the time of the shootout, Branco was under investigation for the straw purchase of the eleven firearms, three of which had already surfaced in criminal cases, including a homicide and an aggravated assault. Some of these firearms were discovered in a home alongside other stolen weapons, and one was found at a narcotics stash location. Branco never reported these firearms as stolen, despite their involvement in criminal activities.
District Attorney Larry Krasner commended the Philadelphia Police Department’s Shooting Investigation Group for their “thorough and dedicated investigation” of the shootout, as well as Agent Marano of the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Gun Violence Task Force for their work in uncovering Branco’s straw purchasing activities. “These arrests send a clear message to those who terrorize our community and traffic guns that they will be held accountable for their willful disregard for public safety,” Krasner stated.
