Whoever entered Dean’s Bar on the 1700 block of Tasker Street and pumped 19 shots into Raymond Nina’s back early Sunday wanted him dead.
That much investigators know. But what they don’t know is why — although they think an argument might have lit the shooter’s fuse, said Homicide Lt. Philip Riehl.
Nina, 25, from the 600 block of Sigel Street, was pronounced dead around 2 a.m. Sunday, said the lieutenant.
The shooter wounded four others — a 30-year-old man in his left leg, a 23-year-old female in her buttocks, a 33-year-old man in his right thigh and a 31-year-old man in his abdomen, Riehl said. The 31-year-old victim was in stable condition earlier this week at an area hospital, added the lieutenant.
All the victims live in and around the neighborhood where the shooting occurred, said a source with South Detective Division.
Riehl would not reveal the nature of ballistics evidence recovered at the scene. And as of yesterday, detectives had no motive or suspects.
To report information, call the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334/5.
Acquitted, then murdered
A South Philly man acquitted of first-degree murder last year was shot and killed on a Center City street last week.
Benjamin Fields Jr., 22, of the 2700 block of Daly Terrace, was pronounced dead at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital at 4:45 p.m. April 14, said Inspector Bill Colarulo of the Police Public Affairs Unit.
Ninth District officers responding to a report of a shooting at 16th and Pine streets discovered a man lying in the street with a gunshot wound to the upper right back, said the inspector.
The victim was not breathing when police found him beside a white Acura and a cell phone, added Colarulo.
The gunman fired five to six shots from a large caliber semiautomatic weapon — possibly a 9 mm or .40-caliber, Colarulo said. Investigators believe Fields might have been shot while at the intersection of 17th and Pine, traveling south on 17th, the inspector said. They also assume the shooter was on foot because of the proximity of the bullet holes to Field’s car, the shattered window and location of spent casings, said Colarulo.
Multiple bullets struck the passenger side of the Acura and also shattered windows. A projectile was recovered on the passenger seat.
The victim managed to drive one block before exiting his car and collapsing at 16th and Pine, Colarulo noted.
Fields was tried and acquitted last May for the Dec. 6, 2000 murder of Ronald Chudoba, 38, of North Philadelphia. According to a source, Fields was a drug dealer in Tasker Homes and Chudoba was his customer.
Fields was charged with shooting the victim for not paying his tab.
At the murder trial, the prosecution’s sole witness to the crime changed his story and Fields was acquitted, said Cathie Abookire, director of communications for the District Attorney’s Office.
Police had not determined as of yesterday whether Fields was slain in retaliation for Chudoba’s murder.
To report information, call the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334/5.
Pair held in stabbing
Police said an argument over a woman was behind a brutal assault and stabbing last Thursday at New World Plaza, Sixth Street and Washington Avenue.
It all began around 9:05 p.m. when the 26-year-old victim and his 20-year-old girlfriend were leaving a restaurant in the plaza, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
The victim told investigators that two men approached the couple and began gawking at his girlfriend and making what the victim thought were inappropriate comments. After the victim informed the pair that he didn’t appreciate their attention, an argument began, Biello said.
Words soon led to blows, as the perpetrators allegedly kicked, punched and then knifed the victim several times in his left arm and leg, the sergeant said.
A mall security guard witnessed the end of the assault and came to the victim’s rescue, said Biello. The boyfriend managed to climb into his car with the guard in an attempt to chase down the men, who had fled in their vehicle.
Third District police nabbed two suspects on the 800 block of Federal Street, and the victim identified them, Biello said.
Teddy Krisyanto, 27, of the 400 block of Dickinson Street, and Agus Erling, 25, of the same block, were charged with aggravated and simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime and conspiracy.
The victim was taken to Jefferson Hospital, where he received multiple stitches and was in stable condition after the attack.
Arrest in home invasion
Police have made an arrest in the April 1 home invasion of a 90-year-old woman who was beaten and robbed.
Harold Smalls, 42, of the 1200 block of South 18th Street, was arrested on April 14, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
Armed with an arrest warrant for Smalls, two officers with South Division Task Force spotted the suspect on the 1800 block of Titan Street around 6:30 p.m., the sergeant said.
When police tried to stop Smalls, he allegedly put up a fight and then lunged at them with a straight-edged, 6-inch razor, said Biello.
Officers were able to subdue and disarm Smalls.
In addition to the home invasion and attack of the elderly woman from the 2300 block of Montrose Street, Smalls was charged with aggravated assault on police, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.
Man charged in teen rip-offs
The man who police said robbed three 14-year-old girls at gunpoint earlier this month has been arrested.
Acting on information from various public sources, investigators nailed the suspect around 8:30 a.m. last Friday at his construction job on the 200 block of Porter Street, said Sgt. Steve Biello of South Detectives.
Michael Lang, 19, of the 400 block of Ritner Street, was charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, robbery, theft and firearms violations, said Officer Sheila Smith of the Police Public Affairs Unit.
All three incidents happened on April 7 and 8 on the 1500 block of Shunk Street, 900 block of Oregon Avenue and 1600 block of Wolf Street, respectively.
Detectives also confiscated Lang’s car, which they believe was used in one of the robberies, Biello said.
Goretti flasher sentenced
The man charged with flashing St. Maria Goretti school girls and others in the area will spend two years behind bars and serve five years of probation for his lewd behavior.
On April 14, Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruno sentenced Rudy Susanto, 25, of the 1900 block of South Broad Street.
The defendant was convicted Feb. 26 of 13 counts each of indecent exposure, open lewdness, corrupting a minor and stalking, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The case made national headlines — even inspiring a story line of the TV series ER — after the girls chased down and subdued Susanto, and held him after police arrived.
All Review police, court and fire-related items are collected from or verified by official sources.
Items are roughly prioritized by urgency or news value. If you have already reported an incident or missing person to police and would like to inform us, call crime reporter Lorraine Gennaro at 215-336-2500 ext. 124.
