A and advocate who rose from homelessness and addiction to serve as a spokesperson for Philadelphia害羞草研究所檚 most vulnerable was shot and killed at his home early Monday, police said.

Josh Kruger, 39, was shot seven times at about 1:30 a.m. and collapsed in the street after seeking help, police said. He was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later. Police believe the door to his Point Breeze home was unlocked or the shooter knew how to get in, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. No arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered, they said.

Authorities haven害羞草研究所檛 spoken publicly about the circumstances surrounding the killing.

害羞草研究所淛osh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing. His intelligence, creativity, passion, and wit shone bright in everything that he did 害羞草研究所� and his light was dimmed much too soon,害羞草研究所� Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement.

Kruger handled social media for the mayor and communications for the Office of Homeless Services from about 2016 to 2021. He left city government to focus on writing projects for news outlets and progressive causes.

He wrote at various times for Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia City Paper, The Philadelphia Inquirer and other publications, earning awards for his poignant and often humorous style.

, he described himself as a 害羞草研究所渕ilitant bicyclist害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所渁 proponent of the singular they, the Oxford comma, and pre-Elon Twitter.害羞草研究所�

In a statement Monday, District Attorney Larry Krasner praised Kruger害羞草研究所檚 contributions to the city.

害羞草研究所淎s an openly queer writer who wrote about his own journey surviving substance use disorder and homelessness, 害羞草研究所� Josh Kruger lifted up the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities 害羞草研究所� particularly unhoused people living with addiction,害羞草研究所� Krasner said. 害羞草研究所淛osh deserved to write the ending of his personal story.害羞草研究所�