A 15-year-old boy has been officially charged in the robbery and shooting death of a man who police say was targeted because he appeared old, police told NBC10. The boy was the third suspect charged in the deadly encounter.
Tyfine Hamilton's father helped negotiate the arrest, sources said. He was interviewed by homicide detectives at Philadelphia Police Headquarters in Center City. On Monday he was officially charged.
Hamilton was wanted for the murder of 51-year-old James Patrick Stuhlman. Last Thursday, Stuhlman was walking his dog, Molly, along the 6400 block of Woodcrest Avenue in the Overbrook section of the city when he was approached by three teenage boys, police said.
Homicide investigators said the teens planned to rob the man after playing a game of basketball. They chose him, investigators said, because he looked old and his dog was "weak." Stuhlman pleaded for his life before he was shot once in the chest, police said. He died on the street with his dog at his side.
Hamilton's alleged co-conspirator, 15-year-old Brandon Smith, was arrested Thursday after police spotted him in Overbook, police said. A 14-year-old was also arrested.
Hamilton and Smith are charged with murder, robbery and other related offenses. The 14-year-old boy is charged with robbery and conspiracy.
Stuhlman was shot over nothing, police said, as not one item was taken from him.
