Martin Higgins was 45 years old. Sharef Holman was 29. Both were shot in the back on the same street in Philadelphia, days apart. Law enforcement sources believe they were targeted because they were gay.

The man suspected in both killings, Jahylin Melchur, 21, is still at large. He is also suspected in a third shooting on May 29, in which a 55-year-old man survived. Surveillance footage from SEPTA's Broad Street Line is believed to show Melchur. Philadelphia police have released images and are urging anyone with information to call the Homicide Unit at (215) 686-3334 or the anonymous tip line at (215) 686-8477.

Finding Melchur is urgent. But there is a second failure here that demands equal attention. Pennsylvania's hate crime statute, Ethnic Intimidation, has not been updated since 1982. It does not cover crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity. The men who allegedly targeted Martin and Sharef because of who they were cannot be prosecuted under Pennsylvania hate crime law for that motivation. As District Attorney Larry Krasner said: "The statute's reach stops well short of the problem."

We call on Philadelphia law enforcement and the FBI to dedicate full resources to finding Jahylin Melchur and protecting the community now. And we call on the Pennsylvania legislature to immediately update the state's hate crime law to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. Martin and Sharef deserved protection. Future victims deserve it too.