Suspects Sought After Young Mother Killed Outside Philadelphia Traffic Court
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Police announced on Tuesday, they have identified all the individuals involved in the beating death of a pregnant woman outside Philadelphia traffic court.
The incident happened at 8th and Spring Garden Streets at about 2 p.m. on Monday.
According to investigators, 21-year-old Tovoyia Owens went to traffic court with her boyfriend and when the couple walked out of the building, the two were confronted by two other men. Eyewitnesses told police, the two men began arguing then punching and kicking Owens to the ground. Owens was rushed to the hospital where she later died.
Police say they believe the two attackers were Owens' ex-boyfriend and his brother.
"She's my sister, my best friend, we all knew her. There is no ex-boyfriend. We don't know these guys, we don't know of them, we don't know what they wanted, who they were looking for," Dennise Thompson said.
Police maintain their information is based on the one suspect arrested at the scene. Police say he has been cooperating and the investigation into what sparked the fight is continuing.
"It's a tremendous loss. Toya, she was wonderful," Lisa Brown, the victim's Godmother said.
Eyewitness News learned from friends, Owens was four months pregnant and was working and studying to become a lawyer. Friends say Owens was a student at Cheyney University and a mother to a 3-year-old girl.
Thompson later explained she is Owens' best friend but the two shared a close bond and considered each other to be like sisters. Thompson added, "My 3-year-old niece is walking around, asking for her mom and can't nobody explain to her what's going on."
As for the investigation, police say they are in the process of obtaining an arrest warrant to bring the second and final suspect into custody. Police say they will be withholding the suspects' names until charges are officially filed in this case.
Watch The Video …
Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
