Mar 28, 2008 8:58 am US/Eastern
Teen Charged With Murder In SEPTA El Stop Attack
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A teenage suspect has been charged in connection with the
death of a South Philadelphia man who died after an apparent random attack on a
busy SEPTA subway platform in Center
City Wednesday.
Sean Conroy, 36, died following a confrontation with a group of teens at a
SEPTA Market-Frankford EL stop at 13th and Market Streets at about 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday.
Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office ruled the incident a
homicide after an autopsy determined Conroy's death was caused by asthma
contributed to by blunt force injuries.
SEPTA police said Conroy, the manager of a nearby Starbucks, was being harassed
by a group of four teens who surrounded him and attacked. Conroy collapsed and
loss consciousness during the incident.
He was transported to Jefferson University
Hospital where he was
later pronounced dead.
Police said three juveniles fled the scene, but one 16-year-old suspect was
taken into custody. The Simon
Gratz High
School 10th grader, identified as Kinta Stanton of
N. Smedley Street,
was charged as an adult with murder Thursday afternoon.
Sources told CBS 3 the 16-year-old suspect was without remorse as he apparently
confessed to the attack. The teen told police Conroy was chosen at random
because the group just "wanted to beat someone up," according to
sources.
In the attack, sources said Conroy punched from behind and then sucker-punched
in the face. Even after he fell to the ground, sources said the four teens
continued to strike Conroy.
Police said they have ruled out robbery as a motive.
"You have to wonder, unless you're just pure evil, what
would make you do something like that," said Deputy Philadelphia Police
Commissioner Richard Ross Jr. "I can't even imagine someone just targeting
an individual for nothing."
Conroy, who lived in South Philadelphia, was
engaged to be married later this year. The Starbucks where he worked was closed
Thursday as workers mourned the loss of their manager.
Mayor Michael Nutter wanted to reassure visitors in Center City
that they are safe.
"It's a random, stupid act of violence. It's a tragedy that has taken
place and it's certainly my hope that in addition to the one person that's in
custody that the other individuals turn themselves in," Nutter said.
Stanton has
been charged with murder and conspiracy and is being held without bail. Three arrest
warrants have been issued for the remaining teens involved in the attack.
SEPTA Police and Philadelphia Police Homicide Detectives are investigating the
incident.
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