Below are links to articles in today’s local newspapers about the murder of 10-year-old Faheem Thomas-Childs, Philadelphia, caught in the spray of a drug-gang-related gun battle -- somewhere between 50 and 100 bullets were fired, and this at 8:30 a.m. -- in front of his elementary school a week ago today.

(The A-plus student’s death was noted here Tuesday.)

In the Philadelphia Inquirer:

“Death of 10-Year-Old Hits at School’s Heart,” by Vernon Clark and Susan Snyder.

“Another Life Lost to the Guns,” by columnist Acel Moore.

“For a Safer World, Let’s Invest in All Children,” by columnist Lucia Herndon.

And an editorial, “Protecting Children.”

In the Philadelphia Daily News:

“Con Men, Pretending to Collect [Money] for Faheem’s Kin, Stole It Instead,” by Barbara Laker, in which we read: “This is a city with no shame. […] [W]hile he was on life support for five days, con men with cans in their hands, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his photograph, walked his neighborhood collecting money for themselves. […] To ensure that all donations go to the family, the NAACP has established a memorial fund to pay for Faheem's funeral and to provide scholarships for Faheem’s eight surviving brothers and sisters.”

“Peirce Principal Vows to Use Slaying to Bring Change to School Community,” by Mensah M. Dean

“Gunplay Ends a Child’s Play,” by columnist Elmer Smith

And an editorial, “Philadelphia in the Cross Hairs: Guns Hold the City Hostage.” Pull quote:

Thanks to the pro-gun forces in Harrisburg, Philadelphia has been prevented from passing effective gun-control legislation. […] The only ones who can step in are Gov. [Ed] Rendell and the state Legislature. We expect nothing from the Legislature. What matter the death of a child when there’s all that political muscle from the NRA to tap? But Rendell is apparently not interested either, despite making a lot of noise about suing gun manufacturers when he was mayor. When did he lose his moral compass?

Good question. Probably sometime in January 2003, somewhere along I-76 West.