PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The suspect accused of killing a man walking in Southwest Philadelphia last week allegedly tried to get help from an off-duty deputy after the deadly incident.
Police say 19-year-old Zaamir Harris shot and killed 19-year-old Russell Williams at 66th Street and Dicks Avenue last Wednesday night.
It all started when police say the suspect got off a SEPTA bus at 64th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard around 10 p.m.
Police say the suspect stole a bike from the front of the bus, then rode up to Williams and shot him. Williams later died at the hospital.
READ MORE | Suspect arrested following fatal shooting, bike robberies in Southwest Philadelphia
Suspect arrested following fatal shooting, bike robberies in Southwest Philadelphia
The suspect ditched the bike, then stole an electric bike from someone else and took off.
At some point during the escape, police say Harris offered money to an off-duty deputy to give him a ride to a nearby Wawa.
The deputy refused, but officers ended up tracking Harris to the Wawa at 84th Street and Bartram Avenue, where he was arrested.
Williams’ family spoke to Action News last week while still grieving the loss of their son.
“It’s still like shocking because I keep thinking he’s going to come home and he’s not,” said the victim’s mother, Katrina.
His parents say the 19-year-old loved sports and gaming, had recently graduated high school, and that he was everyone’s friend.
“You could walk to the store, somebody knows him. You could go to the park, somebody knows him,” Katrina added.
There’s no word yet on a motive for the killing.
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