Police: Father Of 18-Year-Old Shot, Killed By Twin Brother Arrested
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police say they have arrested the father of an 18-year-old man who was shot and killed by his twin brother. An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for Aleem Gillard, the father of victim Suhail Gillard.
Gillard is currently in police custody and awaiting charges.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Gillard wasn't supposed to have a gun since he's a convicted felon.
Suhail died Dec. 1 after being shot inside his father's Overbrook apartment on North 63rd Street.
The other twin, Fayaadh Gillard, was initially the suspect but was cleared of charges on Wednesday.
"He should not have encouraged his three children – the twins and their 16-year-old sister – to play with the firearm. And after the accidental shooting resulting in the death of one of his twins, he should not have instructed his two surviving traumatized children to lie, so he could keep himself out of prison," Krasner said.
Krasner dropped charges against Fayaadh at a court hearing.
"We have concluded that while Fayaadh did pull the trigger, he did not do so with criminal intent," Krasner said. "This was a horrific accident for which the whole family will suffer, but for which he should not be held criminally liable under these circumstances."
A police source says Gillard faces two felonies -- endangering the welfare of his 16-year-old daughter and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He's also accused of lying to police and obtaining that gun.
