An Instagram account aimed at "exposing rats" has outed more than 30 witnesses to violent crimes in Philadelphia since February.
The user, Rats215, posted witness names, photos, police statements and testimony, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Authorities found out about the account last week when an officer monitoring Twitter spotted photos of a witness and court records from an attempted shooting last year. Instagram was notified and the account was shut down Thursday (November 7).
At the time the account was closed it had nearly 7900 followers. Many of them encouraging Rats215 to continue publishing information designed to intimidate witnesses. It was updated almost daily. At least 150 photos were being shared on the account.
"Post some new rats," one follower wrote in September. "I needa put a hit out on them."
Another user showed admiration for drug kingpin Kaboni Savage, who received the death penalty in June for murdering 12 people. In 2004 Kaboni firebombed the North Philadelphia home of government informant Eugene Coleman, killing his family, which included 2 women and four children.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
}
Comments