Man Being Evicted Kills 92-Year-Old Homeowner, 2 Others In Tioga-Nicetown Home, Police Say
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police say a man being evicted killed a 92-year-old homeowner and two others inside a Tioga-Nicetown home over the weekend. Police say the suspect, 23-year-old Tahzay Young, was arrested Wednesday in Center City without incident.
The bodies of 92-year-old Warren Harrison, his girlfriend, 60-year-old Khadijah Abdullah, and her brother, 57-year-old Earl Cottle, were found inside a home on the 1900 block of West Venango Street on Saturday night.
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Harrison's daughter returned to the home from a trip and discovered that the living room area had been ransacked. The bodies were discovered shortly after police arrived to the scene.
Harrison, the homeowner, and Cottle were found dead in the basement from blunt force trauma injuries. Abdullah, who lived with Harrison, was found stabbed to death in her bedroom.
Philadelphia Police Homicide Capt. John Ryan said during a press conference Thursday that Harrison was evicting Young from the home because he wasn't able to pay his rent.
"It's absolutely terrible what happened. It's a very violent crime," said Ryan.
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Police believe Young was about to be evicted, and instead of being evicted, he decided to kill the other occupants of the home, wrap their bodies in blankets and continued to stay there.
"This is a very nasty incident that occurred. I can't even begin to fathom what this individual did and how he was even capable of such violence to three innocent people," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross. "But it speaks to the great work that these men and women do and homicide, as well as in our district each and every day and all these units."
Young, who had three prior convictions, was released from prison in July and had an active warrant for his arrest on a burglary charge.
Police say items were also taken from the home.
Police added that Young was taken into custody on 16th and Chestnut Streets in Center City after using Harrison's credit card.
Young will be charged with murder, robbery and other related charges.
