LATEST STORY: Social Worker Assassinated After Uncovering Staffer's Embezzlement of $40K, Police Say
The man who confessed to carrying out the execution-style murder of his co-worker as she waited for the bus last month was denied bail at his arraignment Sunday night.
Randolph Sanders, 36, was charged with the murder of Kim Jones at his arraignment in a Philadelphia courtroom overnight after he allegedly confessed to crime earlier Sunday, police said.
Jones, 56, was shot in the back of the head by Sanders, who was dressed in all black, on the morning of January 13 at 12th and Jefferson Streets, investigators said. Police sources said Sanders stalked the mother-of-two and newlywed before carrying out the crime.
Detectives tracked him down using surveillance video that captured his SUV near the scene, according to sources.
"He's an absolute scumbag, said Jean-Paul Jourden, Jones' son. "That's all I can think about this guy. To shoot a human in broad daylight in front of people and leave her on a corner."
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Both Sanders and Jones worked at Turning Points for Children, a non-profit program that provides parent education and family support services. Jones served as the director of the program while Sanders served under her as the assistant director. Sanders had worked at Turning Points for over two years according to CEO Mike Vogel.
"Through this entire investigation we worked closely with the Philadelphia Police Department and are relieved that they have found her killer, but devastated by the discovery," Vogel said in a released statement.
Sources told NBC10 Sanders believed Jones was planning on reporting to officials that he was misappropriating funds. To save his reputation, Sanders killed her before she could make that report, according to sources.
"Turning Points for Children is working to understand why this tragedy occurred, and fully cooperating with authorities," Vogel said. "Additionally, we will begin conducting our own internal investigation. Since Kim's senseless and tragic death, we have provided grief counselors to all our employees. We will continue to make those services available in light of today's news."
Earlier Sunday, crime scene investigators scoured the shooting scene for new evidence that may have been missed in their initial sweep. It's unclear if anything new had been found. Jourden, meanwhile, is still trying to cope with everything that has happened.
"It will get to the point where I'm just completely happy that the person is caught," he said. "But right now, at this moment, I'm more furious than happy."
Sanders is also facing multiple gun charges.
His next court appearance is February 18.
