Police: 2 Persons Of Interest In Custody After Northern Liberties Shooting
By Jenn Bernstein, Ileana Diaz, Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police say they have two people of interest in custody in connection with the shooting death of a woman in the Northern Liberties section of the city. Police have not filed any charges yet.
The victim's mother said her daughter was fatally shot because she refused to give up her purse.
It happened around 10:30 p.m. Sunday in the 900 block of North Front Street.
Authorities say 26-year-old Amber Long was shot and killed while walking down the street with her mother.
Captain James Clark said in a press conference Monday afternoon, "I believe the men saw them and thought they were easy targets."
Witnesses tell police they saw a dark-colored or black Chevy Impala pull up near the women and a man jump out.
"We believe from witnesses that the motive for the shooting was a robbery," says Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "We believe that the female's purse was taken by one of two males."
Stephanie Long, Amber's mother, said her daughter refused to give up her purse.
"It was so senseless … we had bought that purse earlier yesterday (Sunday) for $14 and she wouldn't let go of it and they shot her. There was no reason. There was no point."
At some point, police say one of the men fired a single shot, which hit Long in her chest.
She was rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
On Monday afternoon, police say a tip led them to two men who are considered persons of interest. Both men have criminal histories.
Capt. Clark says, "We have two males and they do fit the description of the murderers. We have them at homicide now and we're speaking to them."
As police search for answers, Amber's mother and father are at a loss for words, still trying to understand what happened to their daughter, who had recently graduated from Philadelphia University.
Her father Troy says, "It all just feels like a bad movie. We don't know what to do."
Police say investigators are currently searching the homes of the two persons of interest trying to find any evidence from the scene.