Published June 29 ┃Updated July 2
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with three shootings — two fatal — within Hunting Park.
Authorities believe 21-year-old Jaylin Melchur killed two men in the park last month, and injured a third in May.
Described in his obituary as “kind and compassionate,” 45-year-old Martin Higgins worked for the city in the Community Life Improvement Program. But on Saturday, June 20, around 10 p.m., he was found dead in Hunting Park near a baseball field, shot in the back.
Then, about a week later, 29-year-old Sharef Holman was found fatally shot in the back in the park, near 12th Street.
And on May 29, a 55-year-old man was shot in his side and elbow, and found lying next to his car on Lycoming Street, just south of Hunting Park, but lived. He told police it was an attempted robbery.
Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said the motive appears to be robbery in all cases.
“At least it does in the first case where we have a witness telling us he announced a robbery, but at this point, that’s our theory.”
In each incident, law enforcement sources said all three victims had clothing partially out of place. Officials say all three victims are gay. They are investigating whether Melchur met the victims through an online dating app or on social media.
Melchur does not have a criminal record.
Anyone with information is asked to call police. There’s a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Vanore said Melchur uses SEPTA to get around.
“If someone does ride SEPTA at those times, around 10 at night, they may know this individual, know where this individual may live.”
2 were fatal
2 were fatal
