Philadelphia Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Suspect in Murder of Josh Kruger

A man has been identified as a suspect in the murder of Philadelphia journalist Josh Kruger.

Robert Edmond Davis, 19, has been identified as the suspect, Lt. Hamilton Marshmond of the Philadelphia Police Department said during a news conference Friday, according to CNN.

Marshmond said an arrest warrant has been issued that “includes charges of murder and related offenses,” according to the media release. He also called on the suspect to surrender to the police.

“Our goal is to have Mr. Davis taken into custody in a manner that is safe for the public, our officers and himself,” said police Lt.

Va. Man found guilty of first-degree murder and arson for killing woman he thought was his ex

On Monday, Kruger, 39, was shot seven times in the chest and abdomen around 1:30 a.m. at his home in the Point Breeze neighborhood. Security footage showed Davis at his home earlier that day, Marshmond said at the conference, according to NBC News.

Police said Davis knew the reporter and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Robert Edmond Davis.

PHILADELPHIA POLICE

During Friday’s conference call, police also said Kruger — who was known for his advocacy of marginalized communities, particularly homeless people living with addiction — may have counseled the suspect, according to NBC.

Marshmond also said Davis may have been homeless at some point, although police do not believe the suspect was staying at the victim’s home.

“At this point, we believe that Mr. Kruger was trying to help Mr. Davis, and they were acquaintances,” Marshmond said, adding that the victim was “just trying to help him just get through life.”

The police did not provide more details about the couple’s relationship or a possible motive.

‘You’ll never find her’: Texas teacher’s aide missing amid threatening messages

It’s unclear how the shooter ended up at Kruger’s home, and earlier reports indicated no signs of forced entry.

“Either the door was open or the perpetrator knew how to open it,” Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said, according to Philadelphia Inquirer. “We just don’t know yet.”

Vanore said that after Kruger was shot, he ran outside to get help Inquirer. He was then transported to Presbyterian Hospital, where he died at 2:13 am

Police did not find a weapon at the scene.

Want to keep up with the latest crime reports? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for the latest crime news, coverage of ongoing trials and details on intriguing unsolved cases.

On his website, Kruger describes himself as “a writer and communications professional known for weaving his uniquely lived experience with homelessness, HIV, Philadelphia’s ‘street economy,’ trauma and poverty through his poverty and writing.”

According to the website, he previously worked as a town hall spokesman before “returning to journalism in 2021,” and “his writing has spurred government action and shined a light on communities and issues sometimes overlooked by traditional media.”

Kruger was also “a militant cyclist, an Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian and parishioner of St Mark’s Church in Locust Street, and lives with his best friend, his elderly one-toothed cat called Mason,” according to the website.

Police say 14-year-old accused of killing 17-year-old brother and had ‘kill list’ of other family members

In a statement, Mayor Jim Kenney said he was “shocked and saddened” by Kruger’s death.

“He cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident in his public service and writing,” he said. “Our board was fortunate to call him a colleague, and our prayers are with all who knew him.”

Josh Kruger.

Josh Kruger/Instagram

District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a statement Monday that Kruger “raised the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities — especially neglected people living with addiction.”

“Many of us knew Josh Kruger as a comrade who never stopped standing up for queer Philadelphians living on the margins of society,” the District Attorney’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee said in a statement Monday.

The statement continued: “His struggles mirror many of our own – from community rejection, homelessness, addiction, living with HIV, poverty – and his recovery, survival and successes have shown what is possible when politicians and elected leaders reject bigotry and work affirmatively on the ascension of all men.

“Even as Josh worked for mayor, he never stopped speaking out against police violence, the politicized attacks on trans and queer people, or the social rejection of Philadelphia’s homeless and drug addicts.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education