Winnie Harris

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a second suspect in the murder of well-known community advocate Winnie Harris.

Isaiah Reels, 30, is wanted in connection to the February 2017 murder. Earlier this week, police announced the arrest of 39-year-old Nelson Giddings, who was already in police custody in Delaware County on unrelated charges. Giddings has been charged with murder, robbery and weapons offenses.

Police say Giddings and Reels broke into Harris’s home late on Feb. 2 and shot her when she confronted them. Harris, 65, was found in her home on the 300 block of North Holly Street the following day.  Continue Reading

Winnie Harris (center) during MLK Day of Service in January 2017 (Photo courtesy of UC Green).

Police say they have a suspect in custody in connection to the murder of West Philly activist Winnie Harris, who was found shot to death inside her home on the 300 block of North Holly Street on February 3, 2017. The suspect was arrested on Friday while in detention for another, unrelated matter, according to police. Charges against the suspect are pending. More details about the suspect have not been released as of Monday afternoon.

Harris, 65, was a longtime Powelton resident and green space advocate. She worked as the executive director of West Philadelphia based nonprofit UC Green at the time of her death.

In May, police released and distributed a flyer asking for the public’s help with information on two persons of interest in relation to the murder.

Police are searching for an armed suspect who they say robbed a store at 49th and Springfield on Sunday. The robbery took place at 4:25 p.m. when an unknown male entered Waldy’s Mini Mart and pulled a handgun on an employee at the counter after purchasing a few items. He then took an unknown amount of money from the cash register and fled. He was last seen walking west on Springfield Avenue towards 52nd Street.  Continue Reading

A 20-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot multiple times near 52nd and Pine Streets on Tuesday night, according to police. The shooting happened shortly after 8 p.m. in Malcolm X Park. 18th District police officers found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds to his back and shoulder and took him to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

Police say the victim was walking through the park when an unknown male walked up to him and started shooting. He fired several more shots at the victim after he fell to the ground and then fled.

The suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 25 years old, heavy build, 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 9 inches tall. He was wearing a burgundy or orange colored hoody and black pants. He was last seen running north on 51st street.

If you have any information about this crime, please contact Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183/3184 or call 911.

Police have closed off the 4800 block of Cedar Avenue as they investigate an alleged marijuana growing operation. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Police and fire crews have responded to a report of a strong odor coming out from a home on the north side of the 4800 block of Cedar Avenue on Monday, at around 5:30 p.m. Several residences were evacuated and the block is closed to traffic while police are searching for a marijuana growing operation on the block, according to reports.

NBC10 is reporting that marijuana was growing on “all four floors” (apparently including the basement) of the home.  Continue Reading

Police are investigating an overnight shooting in the Mantua section of West Philadelphia, which left four people injured, one critically. An unidentified gunman opened fire near 39th and Melon at around 11:15 p.m. Sunday, just as a block party was winding down nearby. Four people were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. One victim, a 24-year-old man, was shot multiple times and was listed in critical condition, according to a police report.

The other three victims, an 18-year-old man and two 21-year-old men, were listed in stable condition, according to police.

A total of 31 shell casings were recovered at the scene of the shooting, according to police.

Police say the gunman fled the scene in a vehicle. The motive is currently unknown and no arrests have been made.