Robert Davis, suspect in murder of Philly journalist Josh Kruger, also charged in SEPTA shooting, officials say – NBC10 Philadelphia
The suspect in the murder of Philadelphia journalist Josh Kruger is also charged in a shooting that occurred at a SEPTA station in September, officials announced Monday.
Robert Davis. 19, is charged with aggravated assault, weapons possession violations, simple assault and other related offenses.
Police said Davis was on the mezzanine floor of the Tasker-Morris station at 6 a.m. Sept. 25 when he collided with a woman, leading to a brief altercation. Davis then allegedly pulled out a gun and fired before fleeing the scene. No one was injured in this incident.
Davis was also arrested on Oct. 25 in the shooting death of Josh Kruger. He was later charged with murder, possession of a felony weapon, tampering with evidence and other related offenses in connection with Kruger’s death.
Kruger, 39, was killed Monday, Oct. 2, after he was shot at his home in the 2300 block of Watkins Street in Philadelphia’s Point Breeze neighborhood.
On October 6, police announced that Davis was wanted in connection with Kruger’s death. His last known address is about two blocks from Kruger’s home.
Davis had experienced homelessness in the past and is known to the Philadelphia Police Department for previous incidents, investigators said. He was described by police as an acquaintance of Kruger.
Shortly after news of Kruger’s death broke, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, remembered the journalist as a person who “cared deeply about our city and its residents “.
“Our administration was fortunate to call him a colleague and our prayers go out to everyone who knew him,” Kenney wrote.
The public prosecutor also recalled Krüger’s commitment to his communities:
“Josh Kruger has helped the most vulnerable and stigmatized people in our communities – particularly homeless people with substance abuse issues,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said in a news release. “As an openly queer writer who wrote about his own journey surviving a substance use disorder and… In light of homelessness, it was encouraging to see Josh join the Kenney administration as spokesman for the Office of Homeless Services. Josh deserves to write the end of his personal story.
Kruger’s impact on the city was expressed by the DA’s Office’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee:
“Many of us knew Josh Kruger as a comrade who never stopped advocating for queer Philadelphians living on the margins of society. His struggles reflected so many of ours – from community rejection to homelessness, addiction, living with HIV to poverty – and his recovery, survival and successes showed what is possible when politicians and elected leaders reject bigotry and embrace to work positively for the upswing of all people. Even while working for the mayor, Josh never stopped speaking out against police violence and politicized attacks on trans and queer people, or the social exclusion of homeless and addicted Philadelphians.”
