Philadelphia police seek suspect after fatal shootings of two gay men

Philadelphia police have appealed to the public for help in finding 21-year-old Jahylin Melchur, who they say is wanted in connection with the fatal shootings of two gay men and the wounding of a third man.

Police said Melchur is suspected in two homicides and a separate shooting and remains at large. Images released by investigators show a man they believe is Melchur wearing a red-and-black hoodie and a grey hoodie beneath a black jacket.

The men who were killed were Martin Higgins, 45, and Sharef Holman, 29. Police said Higgins was shot on West Hunting Park Avenue on 20 June and died at the scene. Holman was shot on the same street on 26 June, taken to hospital and died shortly after.

Police also said Melchur is wanted in connection with the shooting of a 55-year-old man on Lycoming Street on 29 May. Philadelphia deputy police commissioner Frank Vanore said the man survived and was found next to his car with gunshot wounds to his side and elbow.

Law-enforcement sources told NBC10 Philadelphia they believe the victims were targeted because they were gay. Authorities also told the station that both men were shot in the back.

Vanore told 6 Action News that police believe Melchur was seen on surveillance footage using SEPTA’s Broad Street Line. He said:

“We know this individual seems to be preying on people in that area.”

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit at (215) 686-3334. Anonymous tips can be made by calling (215) 686-TIPS (8477).

Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner also used the case to renew criticism of Pennsylvania’s hate-crime laws. He said the state’s only hate-crime law, Ethnic Intimidation, has not been updated since 1982.

“Pennsylvania does not have an adequate legal framework for prosecuting hate crimes. Pennsylvania’s only hate crime law, Ethnic Intimidation, has not been updated since 1982,” Krasner said. “The statute’s reach stops well short of the problem.”

Krasner’s office has said the current statute does not cover crimes motivated by sexuality or gender identity.

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