A 51-year-old Philadelphia man is facing a murder charge for allegedly shooting one man to death and injuring two others after a gathering to watch the Eagles game Sunday night.
Police said Bartholomew Nelson, of Fayette Street near Washington Lane, in Philly's Cedarbrook neighborhood, opened fire at a house on Gilbert Street near Mount Airy Avenue just after midnight, after the Eagles' 40-17 loss to the Cardinals in Sunday Night Football.
Killed in the shooting was 51-year-old Leotis Martin, who lived at the house where the shooting happened. Two other man, ages 58 and 52, also suffered gunshot wounds, but survived, according to police.
Nelson is also charged with aggravated assault, illegal gun possession and related offenses.
Police said the four men watched the game together, then got into an argument that sparked the shooting.
Gunshots rang out just after midnight in a one-car garage along the 8300 block of Gilbert Street in the city’s Cedarbrook section following the Eagles' 40-17 loss to the Cardinals. The men had been watching the game together in a garage, according to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
"After the football game, at some time around midnight, for some reason, a 51-year-old man pulled out a gun and started firing shots at the three people he was with watching the football game that were sitting on the couch," Chief Inspector Scott Small said after the shooting.
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Martin was shot in the chest. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Small said the homicide victim’s 15-year-old nephew was home at the time but wasn’t injured.
One of the victims was able to identify the alleged shooter, and police later caught up with him about five blocks away, on Phil Ellena Street. Police said Nelson told officers he dumped the gun while fleeing from the scene.
Nelson was arraigned Monday and held without bail. He is set to appear for a preliminary hearing Jan. 6.
