Crime & Safety

Chief: Black Bag Is Key to Murder Investigation

A 22-year-old was shot in the abdomen in downtown Phoenixville.

Phoenixville Police Chief William Mossman said the assault and murder of a 22-year-old borough man may have been caused by a tug-of-war over a black backpack.

Selvin Mamerto Lopez-Mauricio, 22, of the 100 block of Prospect Street, died of his injuries at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday at Phoenixville Hospital, according to police. Police responded to a call for a shooting with injuries at 12:40 a.m. and found a conscious male with a wound to the abdomen in the 100 block of Prospect Street. Witnesses told police that three perpetrators, two males and a female, committed the murder. The three are still on the loose.

Mossman said though the man was found in the same block where he lives, the fight continued down the block and the man had not fallen in front of his own residence.

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“There was some struggle up and down the street,” Mossman said, noting that some witnesses were close to the argument and one even walked by the four involved in the fray.

Witnesses reported seeing Lopez-Mauricio struggling with the three over a black backpack.

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“They were attempting to take a black backpack that the victim was wearing,” Mossman said in an afternoon press conference on Wednesday.

He said the man was trying to grasp the bag back and was playing “tug of war” with it when he was shot. Witnesses reported hearing a single shot, and Mossman said the man was shot with a pistol.

Mossman said the black backpack is a key to the investigation, as it hasn’t been recovered. The victim’s brother had an identical backpack, which Mossman displayed during the press conference. He urged anyone with information on the bag to come forward. The bag is plain black with clasps and a small black embroidered bird-like emblem on the front.

Mossman told reporters that at least seven county detectives have been sent to the borough by the Chester County District Attorney’s office to try to pursue the three perpetrators. Witnesses saw them flee on foot heading east on Prospect Street. The descriptions are as follows:

  • a black male, mid-20s, 5'2 to 5'6, thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants
  • a white male, mid-20s, 5'2 to 5'6, possibly wearing a gray sweatshirt
  • a white female, mid-20s, 5'6, thin build, possibly wearing a gray sweatshirt

There are currently no suspects, and it appeared to be an armed robbery, which Mossman said is extremely rare in the borough. He also couldn’t recall the last murder within borough limits.

When police arrived at the scene, the victim was still conscious and, according to Mossman, was trying to speak but was unable to get anything out.

In such a small community, Mossman said he is sure there are more witnesses or others who know something about the murder who can come forward. He urged people to tell police what they know about the murder.

Police can be contacted at 610-933-1180.  


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