PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia authorities have announced charges against a man suspected of killing a 32-year-old woman on Monday inside a West Oak Lane hair salon and sexually assaulting two others.
The District Attorney's Office said 33-year-old Jamal Pistoria is charged with murder, rape, sexual assault and related assault and firearms offenses, following the incident at the Beauty Express Dominican Hair Salon on Stenton Avenue, near Washington Lane.
Police said the suspect, 33-year-old Jamal Pistoria, entered the salon shortly after 2 p.m.
“He goes inside, he lets a couple shots go into the ceiling [and] he forces three women into the back of the salon,” said Lt. Tom Walsh with the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit.
According to Walsh, the motive was sexual assault. The victims were pistol-whipped and at one point, he said, Pistoria shot the 32-year-old — identified as Ofelia Bellaniri Hernandez Camilo of New York — in the head.
Camilo was taken by police to a hospital and pronounced dead about a half-hour later.
The other two were sexually assaulted and pistol-whipped, authorities said.
"The homicide detectives have gathered a lot of information already," said Vanore. "There is video surveillance in the area that they were able to capture, and we believe we have significant direction in this case."
Investigators believe Pistoria could be in the area of Tulpehocken Street and Mansfield Avenue, about three blocks away from the salon. He is described as about 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip to police at 215-686-TIPS. As with every homicide, there is a $20,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Police say he sexually assaulted and pistol-whipped two other women
Police say he sexually assaulted and pistol-whipped two other women
