Police arrest suspect in murder of local community activist
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - Police say they have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a community activist.
"We want to know what precipitated this act," said Saundra Fulwood. She's relieved to hear police have a suspect in custody charged with killing her friend 65-year-old Winnie Harris.
"We know we have a suspect but we still want to know why," said Fulwood. The arrest of 39-year-old Nelson Giddings comes eight months after Harris was found shot to death inside her home on the 300 block of North Holly Street in West Philly. Police believe the suspect may have broken into the wrong house.
Family, friends and neighbors held a vigil for Harris immediately after. Fulwood posted flyers everywhere pleading for information.
"She was my friend. She wouldn't hurt anybody."
Harris was the Programming Coordinator and Acting Executive Director of UC Green. It's a network of volunteers who plant trees and spruce up public green spaces around the city. Fulwood says she will always miss her friend.
"When you get older you make a friend and that friend is a friend until you pass. Winnie was that friend," she said.
Police say the suspect is charged with murder, burglary and robbery. They say he has 15 prior arrests.