UPDATE: A commenter helped clarify this story. A jury found Thomas not guilty of the murder charge on Sept. 13, which explains why he was free. We should have done a little more homework before we speculated on that.

Police say the man fatally shot near 49th and Springfield early Saturday morning was 26-year-old Maki Thomas, who was arrested last year in connection with a 2001 murder.

Thomas, who was connected with home addresses in the Overbrook section and the 4100 block of Cambridge St., reportedly called police on a cell phone at about 1:10 a.m. after he had been shot in the head and neck. Police arrived to find Thomas unconscious at the wheel of a Nissan Maxima, which was still running. He was pronounced dead at 1:23 a.m.

Thomas was arrested in April 2010 in connection with the March 2001 murder of Quentin Armstrong in front of a deli at 52nd and Warrington. Police had been looking for Thomas for years and almost had him in 2009 when he used his real name to check into a Haverford medical facility to reportedly get a gunshot wound treated. He fled before police arrived.

Police caught Thomas when he was detained at an Atlantic City casino for trying to pass counterfeit bills.

A parrot was found on the 4700 block of Larchwood Ave. on Friday. If you think this is your pet please call 215-221-2129 with description.

Update: Detective Joseph Murray of Southwest Detectives reports that a man was shot and killed inside of a vehicle in front of 4915 Springfield Avenue around 1:10 a.m. The man was from the 4100 block of Girard Ave. Motive is unknown right now.

A neighbor reports that early Saturday morning, around 1 a.m., he heard about five shots fired at the corner of 49th and Springfield and there was a huge police presence shortly after that. Upwards of a dozen police cars showed up and half of the block west of 49th was closed off with tape, the neighbor said.

Can you imagine fall without pumpkins? Another fun-filled pumpkin-centered event is happening this Sunday, Nov. 6, from 1 – 4 p.m. Community members and their families and friends are invited to celebrate the Autumn season during the annual Pumpkin Day at Clark Park (43rd & Chester Ave.). This is a free event featuring pumpkin decorating, face painting, fall crafts, prizes, and snacks. Families and children are especially welcome.

The event is hosted by the Vineyard Community Church – West Philly. If you would like to volunteer please email Erica Cheslock at echeslock[at]juno.com.

Sharon Salzberg, a nationally renowned meditation teacher and author is coming to the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th & Baltimore) next week to present a talk and a meditation retreat. The talk will take place on Friday, Nov. 11, from 8 – 10 p.m., and the day-long retreat will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sharon has played a crucial role in bringing Asian meditation practices to the West and has been leading meditation retreats around the world for over three decades. She’s the author of The New York Times best seller “Real Happiness.”

On Friday Sharon will introduce the principles of meditation and provide a basic understanding of the practice. Saturday’s program will explore the tools of meditation in greater depth, and include meditation practice and discussion. Both days will feature guided meditations, talks, and allow time for questions and answers. Both new and experienced meditators are welcome.

Tickets are $20/Friday, $75/Sunday, $90/both. You can register online here, or by phone: 215-238-0989. A portion of proceeds will go to the Children’s Community School.

Piggy is a 3-5 year-old terrier mix being fostered for the ACCT by West Philly resident Meagan Coneeny. Through no fault of her own, Piggy was surrendered to the shelter by her family when they were unable to keep her. She must have had a happy home, because she is one of the happiest and most good-natured dogs.

Piggy is a playful and energetic girl, and she loves to play and go for runs and walks, but she’s also very understanding when you need to stay in all day and work, and is very mellow in the house. All she wants to do is cuddle with you all day – she has absolutely no body handling issues. You can hug and squeeze her and give her belly rubs and she just loves it! This is a good sign that she would do well in a house with children. She has been gentle with the few children she has met while she’s been staying with Meagan.

Piggy has been living with two cats and is very good with them. She is friendly, but does not focus or fixate on them. She will curl up next to the older cat in the house sometimes and they will sleep together happily for hours. She is not very food motivated (and never shows food aggression), and has never stolen food or been otherwise destructive in her foster house. She even leaves the cat food alone! Piggy is well housetrained and crate-trained, and is very good with sitting and waiting. She pulls a bit on the leash, but is improving every day.

Piggy is a little picky with her doggie friends, so if you are interested in adopting her and already own a dog, you should schedule a dog meet to see how they get along. Sometimes her energy level can be a little intimidating to other dogs, although there are a few very mellow dogs that she gets along well with.

Please adopt this wonderful girl today! She is healthy, spayed, and up to date on her vaccines, so she is totally ready to go. She would be a fantastic addition to any family – prepare to be loved unconditionally by happiest dog in the universe!

Piggy needs a forever home before Thanksgiving!

Please contact Meagan Coneeny at mconeeny[at]vet.upenn.edu with questions or for more pictures. Adoption information can be found online at http://www.acctphilly.org/.