Police arrest man in South Phila. shooting

PHILADELPHIA Police said Friday that they had arrested a 21-year-old man in the robbery and fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man in a struggle over his backpack in South Philadelphia last month.

Tyreek McNeil, of the 600 block of Mifflin Street, was charged with murder and related offenses in the shooting of Jose Gabino Aparicio on Sept. 26.

Aparicio, who had a 7-month-old son and was a stepfather to four children, was a well-liked employee at Public House, a Center City bar.

After completing a late shift, Aparicio, of the 1800 block of South Rosewood Street, rode his bicycle toward home, but stopped to visit his sister and brother-in-law at their bakery.

He was talking with a cousin outside on the 800 block of Watkins Street shortly after 4 a.m. when McNeil allegedly rode up on a bicycle and tried to take Aparicio's backpack. McNeil allegedly shot Aparicio in the back during the struggle.

Police said McNeil fled with Aparicio's backpack and mobile phone and left his own bicycle behind as he ran.

Aparicio, who came to Philadelphia eight years ago from Puebla, Mexico, was pronounced dead at 4:36 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

The crime scene is seven blocks from where police said McNeil lived. He was arrested last Saturday, police said.

Capt. Laurence Nodiff, commanding officer of South Detectives, said McNeil would be looked at for any unsolved robberies in South Philadelphia.

Court records show that McNeil pleaded guilty to illegally carrying a firearm in public and simple assault. He was sentenced in a plea deal to five years on probation.

In 2011, a judge found him in violation of probation and ordered a mental health evaluation. Court records show he participated in a mental health program and was ordered to get a job.