"He's a violent thug." Those words from Commissioner Charles Ramsey as he broke the news that 23-year-old Rafael Jones was charged with last Saturday's murder of off-duty Officer Moses Walker Jr.
"We have one more person to bring into custody,"Ramsey said. "So we aren't finished yet "
Police sources say the case came together after Jones decided to talk late Thursday night to homicide detectives, 24 hours after he was taken into custody. Sources say Jones admitted he was involved in the attempted robbery of Officer Walker at 20th and Cecil B. Moore, but he claimed 19-year-old Chancier McFarland pulled the trigger.
Detectives believe Jones killed Walker.
"I won't speak about a statement," Capt. James Clark of the Homicide unit said. "The only thing I will say to you is we're very, very confident that he is our shooter."
Homicide investigators have been searching for McFarland for days now. On Friday, they released his photo and named him as the second suspect. They made it very clear they're hot on his trail.
"I don't think you want our Fugitive Task Force or our SWAT team to come and get you," Ramsey warned.
McFarland lives just blocks from the murder scene, police have tracked him all the way to Western Pennsylvania and back.
"We're following some tips that we've gotten and some leads," Clark said.
Ramsey personally broke Friday's news to Walker's family.
He would not address reports that Jones failed two drug tests while on parole and should have been on house arrest at the time of the murder. He was released from jail without the electronic monitor that was ordered by a judge days before the murder.
"This time perhaps the system will put him away for the rest of his miserable life," Ramsey said.
Homicide detectives are still tracking down leads from Jones' statement, trying to verify some of the details. But despite his claims otherwise, police believe he is the guy who shot officer Walker three times
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:03:40 GMT
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
In the aftermath of the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, residents are starting to sort through their belongings that were scattered about as a result.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:43 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:43:34 GMT
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
A small street in the city's Fern Rock section is closed off to traffic - for a good reason!Volunteers from Rebuilding Together Philadelphia and the Sears Heroes At Home program have gathered at the Reed
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:35 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:35:48 GMT
To the everyday on-looker, Lacey Barchart is just your average young girl.She likes playing with her stuffed animals and her friends. But, she sees the world just a bit differently than one might guess.
Brave little Lacey lives a normal life, but there is more to her than what meets the eye.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:36 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:36:20 GMT
Rapper-producer Sean "Diddy" Combs has paid a marketing visit to Pennsylvania's capital city. Combs visited with Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board officials on Wednesday to promote a
Rapper-producer Sean "Diddy" Combs has paid a marketing visit to Pennsylvania's capital city. Combs visited with Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board officials on Wednesday to promote a
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:19:45 GMT
Firefighters are at the scene of an apartment building fire in Allentown where authorities say one person has been found dead, but his death is believed to be unrelated to the blaze.
Firefighters are at the scene of an apartment building fire in Allentown where authorities say one person has been found dead, but his death is believed to be unrelated to the blaze.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:06 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:06:41 GMT
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:55 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:55:21 GMT
Today's weather? Cloudy, muggy, and eventually, stormy. If you get a strong to severe storm, it would probably be lat afternoon and evening. Highs in the upper 70s. Some of the storms will produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds.
This system is from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. It will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
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