Police ID Suspect, Offer $20,000 Reward in Shelter Shooting

UPDATE: The Philadelphia Police Department reports that John Brock, the suspect in Sunday’s shelter shooting, has turned himself in to homicide investigators. He’ll face charges of murder and attempted murder.

John Brock. Photo | Philadelphia Police

Captain James Clark, Commanding Officer of the Homicide Unit, held a press conference this afternoon to update the public on a shooting that killed one person early Sunday morning at the Station House Transitional Home on the 2600 block of N. Broad Street.

Clark announced that 43-year-old Edward Barksdale was pronounced dead on the scene after being shot five times “throughout his body.” A second victim, 26-year-old Lamond Barham, suffered a single gunshot wound to the thigh as he attempted to run from the gunman. Both victims are employees of the shelter.

“Through investigation, we have identified and have an arrest warrant for John Brock, 32-year-old male,” Clark said. “He is identified as 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, last seen wearing a dark hoodie and jeans.” Clark said Brock will face charges including murder, attempted murder, and other related offenses.

Former mayor Wilson Goode is the director of SELF, Inc., which runs the shelter, and he pledged that security protocols will be reviewed in the aftermath of the shooting.

According to police, Brock attempted to enter the facility in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 16th. As he was reportedly extremely intoxicated and it was past curfew hours, he was denied access by employees who eventually called the police. When police arrived, they escorted Brock out, and he was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but later signed himself out.

“Hours later, the suspect returned with a gun, walked into the facility firing multiple times,” Clark said. “When he returned … he actually asked someone else, “Are those two employees working?”

Clark explained that Brock has been homeless long enough that officials “don’t really have a good address on him,” and he had been at the shelter for about two and a half to three months.

Clark alluded to others describing Brock as a “problem resident” and also mentioned a prior criminal history, which involves violence and drugs.

“Anyone who has any information about [Brock’s] whereabouts should contact the homicide unit at 215-686-3334 or dial 911,” Clark said. “He should be considered armed and extremely dangerous, so do not approach him and contact police.”

There is a reward of $20,000 leading to an arrest and conviction in all homicide investigations.

Follow @BretttKlein on Twitter.