PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police investigators have released a new surveillance video which they say shows the suspects in the murder of Hyram Hill.
Hill, who was near his 24th birthday, was shot and killed on January 24 during what police are calling a robbery.
He was the son of Philadelphia Police officer Edwenna Ferguson, who has been with the department for 17 years.
Capt. Jason Smith with the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit told reporters Tuesday afternoon they believe two suspects were involved on the night Hill was killed.
Related
Video shows Hill at the entrance to Maria Mini Market near Temple University Hospital, at North Broad Street and Allegheny Avenue in North Philly around 4:15 a.m. on January 24.
"Suspect number one approached Mr. Hill and engages him in a brief conversation," said Smith.
"During this time, suspect number one has his hands mostly in his pockets the entire time. Suspect number one abruptly fired through his jacket pocket at Mr. Hill. Mr. Hill turned and attempted to flee westbound on Allegheny Avenue."
Police said that as Hill started to run away, the second suspect was positioned nearby and was seen on camera firing at Hill.
Related
Hill died from his injuries. Police said the suspects stole his iPhone and personal gun before leaving the scene.
When officers backtracked their investigation to get a better look at the car the suspects were driving, they said they connected at least one of the suspects to an incident that happened 10 to 15 minutes prior to the homicide.
Around 4:00 a.m., officers believe the same two suspects were on the scene of a domestic incident about a mile away.
“That's how we were able to pick up our two suspects involved in this prior domestic incident and get a very good facial look at our second suspect,” said Smith.
Related
The second suspect is seen on police bodycam footage, talking to officers about what happened.
Police believe that during that incident, the suspects were accompanying a female in the area, talking to them about a personal matter. Officers believe the two suspects may be involved in selling drugs.
As investigators continued to look into the two suspects, they believe the car they drove from the domestic incident to the convenience store is a silver Kia Forte, stolen on January 22.
Hill's mother, Edwenna Ferguson, said she hopes this footage helps investigators find the suspects.
Related
"It's a hard pill to swallow knowing that your son is gone forever, for nothing," said Ferguson.
"We've got some work to do, Philly."
Ferguson told reporters Hill's daughter was born April 6.
She said she's thankful for her family and the support she's received, but no day has been normal since Hill's murder.
"Everyday, just normal things is a struggle," says Ferguson. "But now that this video is released, I'm praying that somebody will turn him in."
The first suspect is described as 6 feet tall, wearing a blue hooded jacket with white stripes, and has a noticeable limp.
The second suspect is also described as 6 feet tall, and you can see his face on the bodycam footage.
Police are offering a $20,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the murder suspects.
Police say that if you see either suspect, do not approach them but immediately call 911. If you have a tip about the case, you can call or text 415-686-8477 and share a confidential tip.
For more from KYW Newsradio:
- Download the Audacy App
- Listen live
- Listen on your smart speaker
Philadelphia anti-violence, crime reporting and victim support resources:
24-hour mental health crisis line from the City of Philadelphia: 215-685-6440
Crime reporting victim services:
- Center City: 215-665-9680
- East: 215-426-4810
- North Central: 215-763-3280
- Northeast: 215-332-3888
- Northwest: 215-438-4410
- South: 215-551-3360
- West/Southwest: 215-748-7780
Related podcast: The grief parents feel of the loss of loved ones in gun violence.
