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The boy in the dumpster has been identified as 12-year-old Hezekiah "Hezzy" Bernard, authorities announced on Aug. 31.
Officers were called for a "hospital case" at 5500 Cherry Street around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, the department said.
The area is directly behind a playground, according to Google Maps.
They arrived and met with Philadelphia Housing Authority sanitation workers, who showed them an "unknown male" found in a trash can on the rear of a PHA dump truck, police said.
Medics were called to the scene where they pronounced the victim dead.
In a "comprehensive post-examination" of Bernard's remains, authorities ruled the 12-year-old died by homicide, police said. His death remains under investigation by PPD's Homicide Unit.
In a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 31, PPD Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom said Bernard was found shot in the head with "plastic wrapped around the head and a comforter over him."
Ransom also said Bernard had not been reported missing before his body was found.
Level Up Philly, a community organization that calls itself a "sanctuary (...) for young people seeking safety, empowerment, and a shot at a better future," posted a tribute in Bernard's honor on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Organizers also held a memorial balloon release early on Friday, Sept. 1.
His community is sharing about their loss on social media with an echoing cry for justice:
A janazah or Islamic funeral prayer service will be held at Broomall Hall, 5220 Broomall Street Philadelphia, PA 19143 at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, according to his obituary.
Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847).
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