Was former local high school hoops star Abdul Taylor gunned down last week because he planned to testify at a murder trial?
That theory was being closely investigated yesterday by detectives who linked Taylor to a 2006 murder case, said Homicide Capt. James Clark.
"He was a witness in an '06 murder that happened in South Philadelphia," Clark said. "Three individuals were arrested in that case, and we know for a fact that he was planning to testify in court in September."
When reached by phone last night, Clark didn't have the names of the 2006 murder victim or the three people who were charged with the killing.
Taylor, 32, was shot in the head on Ellsworth Street near 23rd on May 6. The father of six died the next day after his family removed him from life support at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
His funeral will be at the Michum-Wilson Funeral Home, 20th and Reed streets, on Friday, according to a relative.
Taylor set a career scoring record while starring as a guard at Charles Audenried High School in the mid-1990s.
A popular owner of an Olney bar who was shot and robbed after walking a female patron to her car last week has died.
John Adams, 47, owner of Johnny's Top Cat Club, on 5th Street near Ruscomb, was pronounced dead Monday morning at Albert Einstein Medical Center, police Homicide Lt. Philip Riehl said yesterday.
Police are still searching for the gunman and his accomplice, who stopped Adams on 5th Street near the bar about 10:50 p.m. on May 2 and gunned him down.
Dramatic surveillance video released by police last week showed the gunman raising his pistol at Adams, who was on his way back to the bar.
Dawn Cason, 38, a cousin of Adams, said yesterday: "Somebody knew who these people are. The video clearly shows they were waiting for him once he comes back up the street. . . . It could have been any shop owner on the block. It's just sad that out of the nine years he's been there [as the owner of the club], he's never had any problems. He was good to his patrons. It's just sad."
Cason said that there would be a candlelight vigil for Adams outside the club at 7 tonight.
On the night that Adams was shot, the club was hosting one of its popular comedy shows. The two assailants had gone into the bar, but refused to pay the $20 cover charge for the show, held in the back of the bar. They then left the bar and minutes later Adams was shot.
Anissa Bane, a Philadelphia comedian who uses the stage name "Ms. Darkchild," said that there will be a benefit to raise money for a reward to help find Adams' killers. The event will be from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 19 at the Laff House Comedy Club, 221 South St.
Bane said that many rising stars "would not be where we are today if not for" Adams, who "gave us a place, he gave us hope, he believed in us."
After the gunman and his accomplice left Johnny's, they were seen on a store surveillance video walking and talking with two women on the 5th Street sidewalk.
After the women left, the video shows, the two assailants stopped Adams and held him at gunpoint.
He was shot twice. The gunman went through Adams' pants pocket before fleeing. A close friend of Adams, who did not want her name printed, said last week that she believed that the gunman robbed Adams of cash from the comedy show.
The two assailants were described by police as Hispanic men in their 20s. The gunman, about 5 feet 8, was wearing a light-blue shirt and a Phillies baseball cap, and had tattoos on his neck - lettering on one side, and pictures of money bags on the other, Lt. George McClay, of Northwest Detectives, said last week.
McClay had said that the women who appear in the store surveillance video talking with the two men had been interviewed and told police that they didn't know the men. Riehl said yesterday that homicide detectives will reinterview the women.
The video of the two assailants can be seen at www.phillypolice. com/news. Anyone with information about the men should call the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334.
Troll said
1:23 PM, 05/12/10
Posted on Wed, May. 12, 2010
Briefly... CITY/REGION
Man slain on N. Phila. street
A 21-year-old man died Monday night after being shot multiple times on 15th Street near Courtland in North Philadelphia.
Rernard Mitchell, of Marvine Street near Ruscomb, was shot while in the driver's seat of a parked car. He was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital at 11:29 p.m. Police said robbery is believed to have been the motive for the shooting.
Uke said
1:59 PM, 05/12/10
Police said robbery is 'believed' to have been the motive for the shooting. But even the police are at a loss as to why the victim was shot 23 times. Once would've done the job. Or just threatening ta shoot him IF he resisted handing over his wallet!
Freddie Krueger said
2:44 PM, 05/12/10
There was no number mentioned. I believe you did it Uke.
Snippy said
2:59 PM, 05/12/10
The "SMART" ones always give themselves away.
Uke said
5:18 PM, 05/12/10
I Gargled it Phred!
Troll said
10:56 AM, 05/15/10
Briefly... CITY/REGION
Teen shot dead
An 18-year-old man was gunned down in Southwest Center City yesterday while sitting on the steps in front of his house on Catharine Street near 22nd.
Police said the victim, whose name was not released, was wounded several times about 6:30 p.m.
He died a short while later at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Investigators had no suspects or motives. Tipsters can contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or -3335.
Man dies from beating
A Tioga man beaten during an argument earlier this month died Thursday, leaving detectives hunting for a killer.
Jamil Haynes, 21, of Westmoreland Street near 19th, suffered severe head injuries in an assault at 1:35 a.m. May 5 on Edmund Street near Margaret in East Frankford, police said.
He died at 8:37 a.m. Thursday at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Police reported no suspects.
Uke said
11:01 AM, 05/15/10
About seven outa ten times when someone is shot by gub, the outcome is usually death.
Although a few survivors live ta tell the tale.
Troll said
8:14 AM, 05/16/10
Teen shot, dies after making 911 call
Saturday, May 15, 2010
HUNTING PARK - May 15, 2010 (WPVI) -- A teen staggered to call 911 after being shot in Hunting Park. But the call was in vain.
Police received a report of gunfire on the 700 block of West Lycoming Street around 10:30 p.m. Friday.
The victim is identified as 17-year-old Taj Hutchins.
Investigators say Hutchins was shot in front of his home. He managed to get to a phone and call 911.
He was transported to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - May 16, 2010 (WPVI) -- A woman was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed multiple times in South Philadelphia.
Officers were called to the 2100 block of Tasker Avenue shortly before 3:00 a.m. Sunday.
There they found the woman, believed to be 19 years old, to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with stab wounds to the face, arms and chest.
There is no word yet on her condition or identity.
Police are investigating a deadly shooting in West Philadelphia overnight. Officers were called to 59th Street and Lansdowne Avenue after reports of gunfire at about 1:15 a.m.
Authorities said 21-year-old Don McGill was approached by a suspect while waiting at a bus stop with his girlfriend.
"The gunman approached the victim and asked if he had any marijuana in his persons," said Deputy Police Commissioner William Blackburn.
When McGill said he did not have any drugs, police said the suspect pulled out a revolver and shot him point blank in the back four times.
He was rushed from the scene to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he later died from his injuries.
"He was a good person," said Jackie Sample, the victim's aunt.
The suspect was spotted fleeing the scene in a dark colored Pontiac Grand Prix with a Pennsylvania license plate GTI 1006.
Eyewitnesses described the gunman as a black male, approximately 17 to 20-years-old and 5'7"-5'9" tall. Police said he was seen wearing an orange polo shirt and blue jeans.
No arrests have been made. If you have any information, please contact Philadelphia Police.
Murders as of 11:59 PM Previous Day
Hoops star was killed to prevent his testimony?
By DAVID GAMBACORTA
Philadelphia Daily News
gambacd@phillynews.com 215-854-5994
Was former local high school hoops star Abdul Taylor gunned down last week because he planned to testify at a murder trial?
That theory was being closely investigated yesterday by detectives who linked Taylor to a 2006 murder case, said Homicide Capt. James Clark.
"He was a witness in an '06 murder that happened in South Philadelphia," Clark said. "Three individuals were arrested in that case, and we know for a fact that he was planning to testify in court in September."
When reached by phone last night, Clark didn't have the names of the 2006 murder victim or the three people who were charged with the killing.
Taylor, 32, was shot in the head on Ellsworth Street near 23rd on May 6. The father of six died the next day after his family removed him from life support at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
His funeral will be at the Michum-Wilson Funeral Home, 20th and Reed streets, on Friday, according to a relative.
Taylor set a career scoring record while starring as a guard at Charles Audenried High School in the mid-1990s.
Cops seek bar owner's killers
By JULIE SHAW
Philadelphia Daily News
shawj@phillynews.com 215-854-2592
A popular owner of an Olney bar who was shot and robbed after walking a female patron to her car last week has died.
John Adams, 47, owner of Johnny's Top Cat Club, on 5th Street near Ruscomb, was pronounced dead Monday morning at Albert Einstein Medical Center, police Homicide Lt. Philip Riehl said yesterday.
Police are still searching for the gunman and his accomplice, who stopped Adams on 5th Street near the bar about 10:50 p.m. on May 2 and gunned him down.
Dramatic surveillance video released by police last week showed the gunman raising his pistol at Adams, who was on his way back to the bar.
Dawn Cason, 38, a cousin of Adams, said yesterday: "Somebody knew who these people are. The video clearly shows they were waiting for him once he comes back up the street. . . . It could have been any shop owner on the block. It's just sad that out of the nine years he's been there [as the owner of the club], he's never had any problems. He was good to his patrons. It's just sad."
Cason said that there would be a candlelight vigil for Adams outside the club at 7 tonight.
On the night that Adams was shot, the club was hosting one of its popular comedy shows. The two assailants had gone into the bar, but refused to pay the $20 cover charge for the show, held in the back of the bar. They then left the bar and minutes later Adams was shot.
Anissa Bane, a Philadelphia comedian who uses the stage name "Ms. Darkchild," said that there will be a benefit to raise money for a reward to help find Adams' killers. The event will be from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 19 at the Laff House Comedy Club, 221 South St.
Bane said that many rising stars "would not be where we are today if not for" Adams, who "gave us a place, he gave us hope, he believed in us."
After the gunman and his accomplice left Johnny's, they were seen on a store surveillance video walking and talking with two women on the 5th Street sidewalk.
After the women left, the video shows, the two assailants stopped Adams and held him at gunpoint.
He was shot twice. The gunman went through Adams' pants pocket before fleeing. A close friend of Adams, who did not want her name printed, said last week that she believed that the gunman robbed Adams of cash from the comedy show.
The two assailants were described by police as Hispanic men in their 20s. The gunman, about 5 feet 8, was wearing a light-blue shirt and a Phillies baseball cap, and had tattoos on his neck - lettering on one side, and pictures of money bags on the other, Lt. George McClay, of Northwest Detectives, said last week.
McClay had said that the women who appear in the store surveillance video talking with the two men had been interviewed and told police that they didn't know the men. Riehl said yesterday that homicide detectives will reinterview the women.
The video of the two assailants can be seen at www.phillypolice. com/news. Anyone with information about the men should call the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334.
Briefly... CITY/REGION
Man slain on N. Phila. street
A 21-year-old man died Monday night after being shot multiple times on 15th Street near Courtland in North Philadelphia.
Rernard Mitchell, of Marvine Street near Ruscomb, was shot while in the driver's seat of a parked car. He was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital at 11:29 p.m. Police said robbery is believed to have been the motive for the shooting.
Briefly... CITY/REGION
Teen shot dead
An 18-year-old man was gunned down in Southwest Center City yesterday while sitting on the steps in front of his house on Catharine Street near 22nd.
Police said the victim, whose name was not released, was wounded several times about 6:30 p.m.
He died a short while later at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Investigators had no suspects or motives. Tipsters can contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or -3335.
Man dies from beating
A Tioga man beaten during an argument earlier this month died Thursday, leaving detectives hunting for a killer.
Jamil Haynes, 21, of Westmoreland Street near 19th, suffered severe head injuries in an assault at 1:35 a.m. May 5 on Edmund Street near Margaret in East Frankford, police said.
He died at 8:37 a.m. Thursday at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Police reported no suspects.
Teen shot, dies after making 911 call
HUNTING PARK - May 15, 2010 (WPVI) -- A teen staggered to call 911 after being shot in Hunting Park. But the call was in vain.
Police received a report of gunfire on the 700 block of West Lycoming Street around 10:30 p.m. Friday.
The victim is identified as 17-year-old Taj Hutchins.
Investigators say Hutchins was shot in front of his home. He managed to get to a phone and call 911.
He was transported to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police are searching for the shooter.
Woman stabbed multiple times in South Phila.
SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - May 16, 2010 (WPVI) -- A woman was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed multiple times in South Philadelphia.
Officers were called to the 2100 block of Tasker Avenue shortly before 3:00 a.m. Sunday.
There they found the woman, believed to be 19 years old, to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with stab wounds to the face, arms and chest.
There is no word yet on her condition or identity.
There is also no word on a suspect.
Get more Crime »
East Falls shooting leaves man hospitalized
EAST FALLS - May 15, 2010 (WPVI) -- Philadelphia Police are investigating a shooting in East Falls.
The shooting happened around 8:00 p.m. Saturday in the 3600 block of Indian Queen Lane.
Police say a 24-year-old man was shot in the stomach.
He was taken to Temple University Hospital in guarded condition.
No arrests have been made.
Murders as of 11:59 PM Previous Day
Deadly Shooting In West Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3)CBS
Police are investigating a deadly shooting in West Philadelphia overnight. Officers were called to 59th Street and Lansdowne Avenue after reports of gunfire at about 1:15 a.m.Authorities said 21-year-old Don McGill was approached by a suspect while waiting at a bus stop with his girlfriend.
"The gunman approached the victim and asked if he had any marijuana in his persons," said Deputy Police Commissioner William Blackburn.
When McGill said he did not have any drugs, police said the suspect pulled out a revolver and shot him point blank in the back four times.
He was rushed from the scene to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he later died from his injuries.
"He was a good person," said Jackie Sample, the victim's aunt.
The suspect was spotted fleeing the scene in a dark colored Pontiac Grand Prix with a Pennsylvania license plate GTI 1006.
Eyewitnesses described the gunman as a black male, approximately 17 to 20-years-old and 5'7"-5'9" tall. Police said he was seen wearing an orange polo shirt and blue jeans.
No arrests have been made. If you have any information, please contact Philadelphia Police.