Third suspect, 15, arrested in vet's slaying
Police had two suspects down and only one to go in the Aug. 29 slaying of Korean War vet Enor Williams. Now, their buddy-in-crime and the remaining suspect, a 15-year-old, is also in custody.
Police had two suspects down and only one to go in the Aug. 29 slaying of Korean War vet Enor Williams.
Homicide detectives had already arrested Karl Jarmon and Terrell Bennett, who are both 18 and from Strawberry Mansion, last Thursday, during the weeklong investigation, police said.
Now, their buddy-in-crime and the remaining suspect, Gary Autrey, 15, is also in custody, said Homicide Lt. Mel Williams.
Police nabbed Autrey, of 24th and Garnet streets, North Philadelphia, on Friday in the same area where he and his accomplices allegedly shot Williams in the face. Authorities say that the suspects tried to rob Williams as he stood outside the Veterans of Foreign Wars post, on 33rd and Diamond streets, that evening.
The three are being held without bail on with murder, conspiracy and weapons charges, police said.
After the intense investigation, homicide detectives expressed relief over the arrests.
"We are satisfied that we took these predators off the streets and we made an arrest in a timely manner, and we were able to give the family closure," said Lt. Williams.
"It's a tragedy whenever people prey on the old."
Enor Williams, who was married to his wife, Connie, for almost 40 years, was a devoted volunteer at the post. Family members described him as a "sweet and gentle man."
Family members and friends gathered at the couple's home on 11th Street near Medary Avenue a few days before Williams was to be buried. His funeral took place last Saturday.
"I hate that [the murder] was the last thing that happened to him," said his 59-year-old widow during a recent phone interview.
But she said she's comforted that her husband's killers were caught.
"I knew they would find him," she said of the suspected gunman. "I don't know how, but I did." *
