Suspect Charged In Fatal Shooting Of 81-Year-Old South Philly Store Owner
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A suspect has been arrested in the deadly shooting of an 81-year-old grocery store owner in South Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Police say 31-year-old Maurice Green is charged in the murder of Marie Buck.
Green was arrested around 10:30 Wednesday night without incident, police say.
Police say Green shot Buck 11 times in the chest while she was behind the counter inside Marie's Grocery on South 6th and Titan Streets on Christmas Eve around 9 a.m.
Homicide detectives say the suspect was angry at Buck's grandson because Green believed he stole a piece of jewelry worth between $5,000 and $10,000.
Police say that's when Green went to the store, thinking the grandson was working, but when he only found Buck there, he opened fire.
"It's one of the more horrific murders that I've dealt with in nine years. You have an 81-year-old grandmother, defenseless, who was beloved by the community and to be killed in this manner is just horrific," Philadelphia Police Capt. James Clark said. "It's very sad but we are very happy that we are able to put this to a close in a very short time period."
Police say they have video of Green parking and walking towards the store minutes before the murder, along with video of him fleeing the scene right after the shooting.
Police say the grandson was supposed to be at work as Buck even called him that morning just minutes before she was murdered.
Investigators say the grandson is cooperating and is not facing any charges.
"It's downright evil when you think about it because at some point in time you knew who you were firing at, you knew who was in that store. It's pure evil," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said.
Police say Green is not cooperating with detectives and police have not yet recovered a murder weapon. However, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams is confident with the case.
"There is sufficient evidence to hold him. We believe there is sufficient evidence to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," Williams said.
A wake is being held Thursday night for Buck.
"Marie will be remembered as a staple in this community. She is a woman who raised three generations of children, she was kind to everyone she met, it didn't matter who you were," says family friend Donna Varallo-Fikes.
