Woman slain during reported home invasion
Police are investigating the killing of a woman in her Southwest home early this morning during what her husband told police was a home invasion.
Police are investigating the killing of a woman in her Southwest home early this morning during what her husband told police was a home invasion.
Kevin Brooks, 42, told police the house was raided by four masked men who demanded drugs and money, then shot his wife before fleeing.
Tara Brooks, 41, was shot once in the head. Kevin Brooks suffered minor injuries to his face and the back of his head, Philadelphia Capt. James Clark said.
Brooks is expected to face charges of drug possession after police said they found marijuana and cocaine in the house.
Authorities say the pieces may not add up. Brooks was being questioned at police headquarters this afternoon, where he had been since the shooting.
Clark said there were "inconsistencies" in Brooks' story, but said the investigation is ongoing.
"Right now, we're going to treat this as what he said it is," Clark said. "Until we have a reason not to."
Clark said there was a history of domestic violence between Brooks and his wife, including a recent incident, but he would not elaborate. There was no active restraining order, he said.
Brooks also is known to police through his involvement with drugs, Clark said.
Brooks and his wife were found around 3:40 a.m. in their home on the 6100 block of Upland Street after police responded to a report of a shooting.
Brooks told police four armed, masked men broke into the house about 3:30. Two of them duct-taped his arms and legs together and dragged him downstairs. His wife, he said, wife was already downstairs with the other two.
The men forced the couple onto the ground and demanded guns and drugs, Brooks told police. When Tara Brooks began struggling, and screamed that she and her husband "didn't have anything," Brooks told police, she was shot.
Brooks told police he was able to break free from the duct tape after the men fled. Police found him unrestrained.
Though a neighbor apparently heard gunfire and called police, no one has reported seeing the masked men. Police are investigating whether anything was stolen. Clark said it was possible some cash was taken.
Clark would not comment on whether there were signs of forced entry to the house.
Police are asking anyone who has information to call the homicide unit at (215) 686-3334.