Two men charged with murder after police say they beat, threw American Airlines flight attendant out a window
William Percha, 55, and Shamar Moody, 28, will be charged with murder in connection with the death of Amadou Thiam in November.
Two men were arrested Tuesday morning after police say they beat an American Airlines flight attendant inside his South Philadelphia home last year, then threw him, naked, out of a third-story window to his death.
William Percha, 55, and Shamar Moody, 28, were taken into custody at their Frankford home to face charges including murder, robbery, and burglary in the November slaying of Amadou Thiam, said Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore.
The men, who are related, are accused of going to Thiam’s home on the 2400 block of Federal Street on the evening of Nov. 10. Thiam, 50, may have known the men, and let them into his home, where they attacked and beat him, according to a law enforcement source.
Vanore declined to comment on how Thiam knew the men.
“We think it was some kind of argument, a robbery, that turned physical,” he said.
The men then threw Thiam out the third-story window of the home, according to the criminal complaint. The men rummaged through the house and stole liquor and clothes, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Thiam’s neighbors, after hearing a commotion, saw the two men leaving the home, and then found Thiam bleeding on the pavement outside. He was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he died two days later.
Thiam was a respected and popular flight attendant who was originally from Côte d’Ivoire and spoke French. His family, friends, and colleagues were shocked by his death and had spent the last four months wondering what could have led to the attack.
Vanore said more details about the case should be revealed through forthcoming court proceedings.
Moody’s attorney, Thomas Clemens, said in a statement that his client “is innocent of these charges, and we look forward to having the case heard in court.”
“This incident took place months ago, and from all appearances, it seems to be a tragic accident. It is still unclear how the matter has been deemed a homicide,” he said.
Moody, he said, has been aware of the investigation for months and remained in Philadelphia “because he has nothing to run from, and nothing to hide.”
It was not immediately clear whether Percha had retained an attorney.
Staff writer Jesse Bunch contributed to this article.