Police in Philadelphia are asking for the public's help to locate a 5-year-old girl and her babysitter who mysteriously went missing Saturday afternoon.
A 55-year-old woman reported the little girl, Tamira Horton, missing shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, police said. The 55-year-old said she and her friend -- identified only as "Kendra" -- were babysitting Tamira inside a second-floor apartment on 22nd Street just north of Somerset, in the city's Swampoodle neighborhood, Saturday afternoon.
The woman told police she left the apartment about 2:30 p.m. to pick up school supplies and came back at 4 p.m. to find the little girl and the other babysitter, Kendra, missing. The woman looked for Kendra and the little girl and tried to contact the girl's mother, 27-year-old Lakisha Horton, but was not able to find any of them before reporting them missing to police.
Tamira is described as 4 feet tall and 45 to 52 pounds, with a medium complexion. She also goes by nicknames "Momma" or "Amera" and was last seen wearing a pink shirt, light-blue jeans with a flower on the leg and brown sandals, police said. She had her black hair braided and pulled into a bun on the top of her head with a white hair wrap, police said.
Kendra is described as a 52-year-old woman with a medium complexion, about 5 feet 1 and 129 pounds. She has a gold tooth in the front of her mouth, gray and black hair and may live in Olney, according to investigators. She was last seen wearing a black and white jersey with the number 29 on it, with her stomach showing. Police say she has a speech impediment.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tamira, Kendra or Tamira's mother is asked to call Northwest Detectives at 215-686-3353 or dial 9-1-1.
A good Samaritan in South Jersey rescued a neighbor's dog from a house fire on Saturday that left the home badly damaged, police said.
The fire broke out on the 2100 block of Garwood Road in Sicklerville about 3:30 p.m., Gloucester Township Police said. The homeowner was not home at the time, but a dog was inside the house. The dog, police said, was saved by a neighbor and was treated at a local veterinarian for an injury.
Police said the fire severely damaged the house, and the homeowner is displaced. Garwood Road was closed for four hours as responders from several nearby fire departments worked to douse the flames on Saturday.
Police and the Erial Fire Department Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, in a Sunday op-ed published in the Philadelphia Inquirer, urged people to "be not afraid" to attend events in Philadelphia during Pope Francis' September visit.
"The only thing standing between an enormously successful World Meeting of Families and one that's 'merely' successful is we, ourselves and I mean the whole Philadelphia community," Chaput wrote in the op-ed. "We can defeat ourselves by not being part of the Francis Festival and the city's welcome for the Holy Father, and by giving in to the anxieties and worries that go along with any major effort like this."
Concerns over access to events and inconveniences caused by several Center City blocks being closed to most vehicle traffic arose as city officials released more information about their plans for Pope Francis' Sept. 26-27 visit. The Pope's visit bookends the World Meeting of Families, which takes place in Philadelphia for the entire week leading up to when Pope Francis is to arrive.
More than 100,000 SEPTA Papal Passes for Regional Rail were still available late last week, and SEPTA encouraged riders to purchase them, saying that more than 23,000 parking spots at different train stops will also be available. SEPTA passes were first expected to sell out quickly, and were released via a lottery system -- but tens of thousands remain unclaimed.
City leaders said the areas Pope Francis will visit -- including the Parkway for a public Mass and Independence Mall -- will be part of "Francis Festival" grounds.
Chaput called Pope Francis' visit "a moment of grace" and aimed at allaying people's concerns by using writings from the Bible in his op-ed.
"Nowhere in Scripture do we find Mary, Joseph, or Jesus worrying about security, transportation, or logistics," Chaput wrote. "Somehow, Mary and Joseph managed to make their way to Bethlehem and have a baby in a stable. Somehow, they managed to find the adolescent Jesus in the Temple. And somehow, Jesus managed to preach his Gospel all over Judea despite robbers, brigands, and demons and without downtown parking or even a SEPTA pass."
Philadelphia Police are mourning one of their own after an off-duty officer was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash Sunday afternoon.
Lamar Poole, a 42-year-old 12th district officer who recently entered his 19th year on the police force, was riding a 2005 Honda motorcycle west on Devereaux Avenue at Roosevelt Boulevard at 4:10 p.m. As he was riding he was suddenly struck by a Toyota Corolla traveling east on Devereaux. The car turned left in front of the motorcycle which hit the side of the vehicle.
Officer Poole, who police say was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his motorcycle and fell to the ground. Witnesses told police the driver, who investigators say is a 58-year-old Philadelphia man, briefly got out of his car and looked at Poole. He then allegedly went back into his car and continued driving north on the Boulevard.
A tow truck driver who witnessed the crash then followed the driver, investigators said.
"Fortunately we had a couple of witnesses, one being a tow truck driver, who followed the vehicle and really helped out big time," said Philadelphia Police Captain John Wilczynski. "He followed the car, pinned the car in and called police."
Responding officers apprehended the driver and took him into custody. In addition to the hit-and-run, police say the man is suspected of driving under the influence based on a blood test. He has not yet been officially charged.
Poole, who suffered head injuries and internal injuries, was taken to Frankford Torresdale Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:02 p.m.
A procession for Officer Poole began around 7:30 p.m. An escort traveled down I-95 to I-676 to I-76 to take the officer's body from the hospital to the Medical Examiner's Office on South University Avenue in University City. Officers saluted Poole as the procession arrived.
The crash was the 9th deadly hit-and-run in Philadelphia since January 1, 2014, according to police data.
The fatal crash also happened a little over a week after Philadelphia Police Sergeant Rafael Ali was killed when his pick-up truck slammed into a tree.
"This is two in one week where we've lost one of our own," Captain Wilczynski said. "Everyone's a little bit heartbroken about it."
An 83-year-old New Jersey landlord has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his tenant.
John Wisse called 911 Saturday afternoon saying his downstairs tenant had been shot, accoding to police. Officers arrived at Wisse's Hasbrouck Heights home and found the victim, Gerald Valardi, 58, dead with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Police found Wisse in the upstairs of the house with a handgun. He had apparently shot Valardi one time after an argument, police said.
He has been charged with aggravated manslaughter.
There was no information as to whether Wisse had obtained a lawyer who could comment on the charges.
Gunfire rang out in two separate Philadelphia neighborhoods overnight leaving at least one person hurt and car riddled with bullet holes near a Philadelphia school.
A gunman opened fire along the 5200 block of Hazel Avenue in West Philadelphia around 11:30 p.m. Sunday leaving an unidentified man shot in the chest, said Philadelphia Police.
The shooting left an unidentified man in critical condition.
A short time after the shooting, police could be seen handcuffing a man less than a block away along Rodman Street. No word yet on possible charges in the shooting.
Early Monday, officers responded to Rising Sun Avenue and Old York Road – that near Mary McLeod Bethune School – where someone shot up a Dodge Charger, said police.
Investigators didn’t find anyone shot in the North Philadelphia shooting despite at least 20 bullets being fired.
No word yet on what might have led to either shooting.
Delaware State Police investigated a shooting that occurred in a family residence and left a 2-year-old injured.
Police said troopers were dispatched to a house on Muddy Neck Road in Ocean View at about 1 a.m. Sunday for a report that a child had been shot.
Police said investigators determined that 38-year-old Joseph Jenkins had shot his daughter in the leg while showing his wife a gun he'd just received.
An investigation revealed that a burglary report had been taken from Jenkins Saturday night stating that his gun had been stolen. Police said Jenkins then went to a friend's home and retrieved a handgun.
Jenkins was arrested and charged with assault, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a firearm during the commissioner of a felony.
A Rutgers University student was sexually assaulted early Sunday in the backyard of a residence off campus, police and a university spokesman said.
The attack comes as the fall semester is set to begin on Tuesday.
The victim was walking at about 2:45 a.m. near Richardson and Wyckoff streets in New Brunswick when a man walking behind her attempted to engage her in conversation, He followed her into a backyard and sexually assaulted her with his hand, investigators said. He then fled.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated and released, police said.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact the New Brunswick Police Department.
In an unrelated case about two hours earlier, a female student was hit by an object thrown from a passing car in the vicinity of Hamilton and Hartwell streets, police said. Four males were in the car, a dark sedan, police said.
The student was treated for a minor injury at a local hospital.
The Rutgers University Police Department is urging students to remain alert, avoid isolated or unlit areas at night and walk in groups at night.
Here are the 10 things you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.
TODAY'S TOP STORY
Dad Showing Wife Gun, Shots Girl, 2, In Leg: Delaware State Police investigated a shooting that occurred in a family residence and left a 2-year-old injured. Police said troopers were dispatched to a house on Muddy Neck Road in Ocean View at about 1 a.m. Sunday for a report that a child had been shot. Police said investigators determined that 38-year-old Joseph Jenkins had shot his daughter in the leg while showing his wife a gun he'd just received. Jenkins was arrested and charged with assault, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a firearm during the commissioner of a felony.
It will be a warm and muggy start to the work week. Monday is expected to be cloudy in the morning and the sun should return by the afternoon with warmer temperatures. Tuesday is expected to be sunny and hot which should continue through the week. High temp: 91 degrees. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.
WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY
Wes Craven Dies: Wes Craven, the writer and director for famed horror movies, died Sunday afternoon after battling brain cancer, according to a statement put out by his family. He was 76 years old. "It is with deep sadness we inform you that Wes Craven passed away at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 30 after battling brain cancer. He was 76 years old. Craven was surrounded by love, in the presence of his family at his Los Angeles home," the family's statement said. A prolific writer, director and editor, Craven was credited with reinventing the teen horror genre with the 1984 release of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" starring a then-unknown Johnny Depp. The movie led to several sequels, as did his 1996 movie "Scream."
AROUND THE WORLD
Mother of Accused Texas Deputy Killer Gives Alibi: The mother of the suspect in the execution-style killing of Texas sheriff's Deputy Darren H. Goforth said her son can't be the gunman because he was out shopping with her at the time. Shannon Jaruay Miles, 30, of Cypress, Texas, is charged with capital murder after Goforth, 47, a 10-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff's Office with a wife and two kids, was gunned down seemingly at random Friday night. Miles is being held without bond pending his arraignment Monday morning in Harris County District Clerk. Before he was officially charged, Miles' mother told NBC station KPRC of Houston that she and her son had been out shopping at the time and couldn't get home because police had surrounded their street. Miles initially wasn't designated as a suspect until a weapon from Goforth's shooting was recovered and ballistics tests indicated it was match with a gun belonging to Miles, Sheriff Ron Hickman said Saturday.
Miley Cyrus Bares Nipple at VMAs: Miley Cyrus' various costumes for Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards were for the most part nearly naked — and then she took it a step farther and flashed her nipple during a costume change. As the camera panned backstage, Cyrus failed to cover up and the broadcast quickly cut away to the crowd while she continued to talk. She then said, "What's happening? Oh, sorry." Learn more about the costume change here.
SPORTS SPOT
Phillies Pitching Future: Manager Pete Mackanin said you don't expect a pitcher who is making his first appearance at the Major League level to be poised but the Phillies are fortunate to have three rookie pitchers who are confident on the mound. Get your full sports news at CSNPhilly.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
See more Top News Photos here.
THROUGH IGER'S EYES
@tryined snapped this cool image of some shadows on a building.
Have an awesome Instagram photo you'd like to share? Tag it with #NBC10Buzz.
TODAY'S VIRAL VIDEO
This dog knows how to retrieve his ball from the pool without getting wet. Watch the video here.
PA Little League Welcomed Home: The victory went to Tokyo, but members of Lewisberry's Red Land Little League team returned to their small community as hometown champions, escorted by police, firefighters and EMS crews. Red Land lost 18-11 to the Kitasua Little League Sunday in the final game of the 2015 Little League World Series championship in South Williamsport. But residents' pride and the thrill of being in the competition won out over their disappointment. The team was welcomed home by sign-waving, cheering fans who lined the streets late Sunday night as the team made its way to Red Land High School, where it was greeted by local officials. Learn more about the team here.
That's what you need to know. We've got more stories worthy of your time in the Breakfast Buzz section. Click here to check them out.
Mayor Michael Nutter and World Meeting of Families leaders plan to hit the streets of Philadelphia Monday to deliver Pope visit kits to Philadelphia businesses.
The "Open-in-Philadelphia" kits contain signs, buttons and business resources that organizers hope will serve as a proactive measure to help businesses better engage the throngs of visitors expected for Pope Francis’ visit in late September.
Nutter and WMOF organizers plan to start their #OpeninPHL tour at the Wawa at 17th and Arch streets before hopping on a Phlash bus to make stops at McGillin's Olde Ale House and Del Frisco's in Center City and Pat's Steaks in South Philly.
The kit deliveries – organizers promise to get hundreds of kits into business owners' hands – come days after Nutter and WMOF leaders announced the "I'll Be There" campaign that encourages people to show up to see the Pontiff as a series of public events on Sept. 26 and 27 including a mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway.
Part of the "I’ll Be there" announcement included trying to change perception of the papal visit from one of inconvenience to one of fun and faith. They announced that the traffic box ranging from The Delaware River to 38th Street and South Street to Girard Avenue would now be known as the "Francis Festival Grounds" and would feature street food and other fun.
"I hope our message today is clear: Come! Be part of history," said Donna Crilley Farrell, executive director of the World Meeting of Families. "Let's not lose sight of the fact that this is a moment we will never have again."
Businesses that don’t get an “Open in PHL” kit delivered Monday an pick up the kits all week at eight locations throughout the city including 30th Street Station, the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Reading Terminal Market.
Philadelphia Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened just after daybreak Monday morning.
Police said they responded to Reinhard Street near 53rd, in Southwest Philadelphia's Kingsessing section, minutes after 7 a.m. On the block, they found a man estimated to be in his late 20s or early 30s suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
Medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene. He was not yet identified later Monday morning. SkyForce10 was over the scene as police cordoned off the block and began investigating.
Police said they recovered no weapons at the scene and have not made any arrests in connection with the killing.
The city has seen a small spike in homicides recently. The homicide rate, according to police statistics, is up 4 percent year-to-date this year over last, with the count standing at 171 currently, versus 165 as of this date last year. Homicides are up 6 percent year-to-date compared with 2013, but down 38 percent compared to the extremely violent year the city saw in 2007, when there were 276 homicides by Aug. 30.
After another impressive showing in the Philadelphia Eagles’ third preseason win, head coach Chip Kelly will answer questions Monday as the Birds prepare for the preseason finale.
Kelly is expected to address the media after 11 a.m. Monday.
WATCH IT LIVE on this page.
He is expected to talk about Saturday’s 39-26 win over the Packers in Green Bay, discuss ongoing injury concerns with linebacker Kiko Alonso and look ahead to Thursday night’s final warm-up game against the Jets.
He also could address looming roster cuts after trimming the roster down to 78 over the weekend.
A day after an off-duty Philadelphia Police officer died in a hit-and-run crash along the Roosevelt Boulevard, investigators continued to question a driver witnesses said fled the scene.
A tow truck driver and some other motorists helped stop the driver after the 58-year-old drove off from the Boulevard and Devereaux Avenue, leaving Lamar Poole, a 42-year-old 12th district officer who recently entered his 19th year on the police force for dead, said police.
Poole was riding a 2005 Honda motorcycle west on Devereaux around 4:10 p.m. Sunday when a Toyota Corolla turning left onto Devereaux suddenly struck Poole's bike -- the motorcycle hitting the side of the car.
The force of the wreck threw Poole, who police say was not wearing a helmet, from his motorcycle. Witnesses told police the driver, who investigators say is a 58-year-old Philadelphia man, briefly got out of his car and looked at Poole. He then allegedly went back into his car and continued driving north on the Boulevard.
Poole, who suffered head injuries and internal injuries, was taken to Frankford Torresdale Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead a short time later.
The tow truck driver, who identified himself to NBC10 as "DJ," said he saw the crash and gave chase after the driver took off. DJ and another driver then boxed in the striking vehicle a couple of blocks up at Harbison Avenue.
"I can't believe this happened," said DJ. "I can't believe I did this."
"Fortunately we had a couple of witnesses, one being a tow truck driver, who followed the vehicle and really helped out big time," said Philadelphia Police Captain John Wilczynski. "He followed the car, pinned the car in and called police."
Responding officers apprehended the driver and took him into custody. In addition to the hit-and-run, police say the man is suspected of driving under the influence based on a blood test.
The suspect remained at police headquarters overnight as he was questioned by investigators who said they expected to file charges.
Poole died a little more than a week after Philadelphia Police Sgt. Rafael Ali died when his pickup truck slammed into a tree.
"This is two in one week where we've lost one of our own," Wilczynski said. "Everyone's a little bit heartbroken about it."
