New Developments in Murder of Police Officer

Police are talking to a man about the murder of Philly police officer Moses Walker Jr.

Philadelphia police said Thursday night there are new developments in the murder of Officer Moses Walker, Jr. and they expect charges in the morning.

On Wednesday, police nabbed a "person of interest" in the case.

Sources tell NBC10 that man's name is Rafael Jones.

According to the Daily News, Jones is a 23-year-old from North Philadelphia with a history of robbery and weapons arrests.

"We believe that he's going to be our shooter," Captain James Clark said in a late afternoon news conference. Clark said police think the man being questioned is the same bald man seen in the surveillance video released this week. It shows both suspects.

Working on a tip, police and U.S. Marshals picked Jones up around 3:30 p.m. at Bartram Village apartments in Southwest Philadelphia.

The second suspect is still on the loose.

Police took a second man into custody at the same apartment complex. Sources tell NBC10 he allegedly drove the two murder suspects to the complex sometime this week.
 

A woman was also taken in for questioning.

Officer Walker, 40, was shot three times on Saturday while he was walking to a bus stop at 20th and Cecil B. Moore Avenue in North Philadelphia. It was around 6 a.m. The 22nd District officer had just left work and was on his way home.

"One of his co-workers offered him a ride and he said it's a nice day out, I'll walk," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said the day after Walker was killed.

Investigators say robbery was the motive and they based that on the surveillance video. Officer Walker was not in uniform when he was shot.

The reward money for the arrest and conviction of the two suspects was raised to $118,000 Tuesday.

Police Commissioner Ramsey said Thursday morning that they know who the second person of interest is and they're working on bringing him in.

"Right now we're trying to pick him up. If we're not successful, then we'll pass some information out to you all so that we can try to get the public's help and locate this individual."

Funeral arrangements were officially released Wednesday:

  • Walker's viewing is Sunday, Aug. 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. at  Deliverance Evangelistic Church at 2001 Lehigh Ave.
  • The Viewing will continue from 7 to 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 27 also at Deliverance Evangelistic Church
  • Funeral services are set to begin at 10 a.m. at Deliverance Evangelistic Church
  • Walker will be buried later Monday at Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, Pa.

Police warn that drivers should expect congestion in the area of the church and on the route to the cemetery.

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