Sex assault suspect sought; Activists call for justice for man in deadly Philly bar assault; Midweek cool down

THE RUNDOWN: 

1. Suspect identified in sex assault on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line, sources say

PHILADELPHIA – Authorities are searching for a suspect who they believe is responsible for several sexual assaults, including at least one that law enforcement sources say happened on SEPTA property.

The Philadelphia Police Department Tuesday named Quintez Adams, 28, as a suspect in incidents that occurred on Apr. 4 and Apr. 24.

Adams, who sources say is homeless, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a SEPTA Broad Street line train last Sunday. Police say the incident occurred between the Erie and Girard stations early in the afternoon. 

Police say Adams is also wanted in connection with an indecent exposure incident that happened on Apr. 4 near the intersection of 7th and Market streets.

Authorities say Adams is known to frequent the area of 13th and Market streets. He is described as 6-foot-2, 140 pounds, according to police. 

2. Activists call for justice following deadly assault outside Philadelphia bar

PHILADELPHIA – Activists gathered Tuesday outside a Philadelphia bar where law enforcement sources say a bouncer punched an intoxicated patron who later died at the hospital.

Police say surveillance video from Apr.16 shows 41-year-old Eric Pope being escorted out of Tabu Lounge and Sports bar in Center City around 1 a.m. for being overly intoxicated. While standing along South 12th Street, police say the bouncer punched him, knocking him to the ground unconscious.

The video shows Pope lying on the ground for a minute. The bouncers move him to the sidewalk where he stays for several more minutes. A crowd eventually forms around him and the video ends. Police say Pope died at the hospital a week later.

Tabu’s owner told FOX 29 that the bouncer involved is not an employee of Tabu and the incident did not happen on their property. When it was reported to them, they immediately called 911 and are cooperating with the police investigation.

LGBTQIA activists and allies on Tuesday spoke outside the bar, located in Philadelphia's Gayborhood section, to call for justice and accountability. They say there have been previous problems in the Gayborhood involving the third-party security company. 

"The owner cannot throw rocks and hide his hands, he has a responsibility and has to own up to his part," Asa Khalif said. "What took place, we want the bouncer arrested immediately we want justice for our brother Pope."

The group also has concerns about the safety of Philadelphia's Black Pride events, which start in two days. 

3. Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, appointed to HHS leadership role

WASHINGTON – The Biden Administration has appointed Dr. Ala Stanford as Regional Director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  

Dr. Stanford is known locally for founding the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, a foundation that helped Philadelphia fight the coronavirus pandemic by running testing and vaccine clinics. 

In November, she opened the Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity to provide preventative medicine in a neighborhood with poor health outcomes and low life expectancy. The Black Doctors Consortium has seen over 3,000 patients, according to a press release. 

"She is a perfect example of how a community member can stand up and lead during a time of crisis," U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said of Dr. Stanford. 

In her new role, Dr. Stanford will lead Region III of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, an area that serves Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. 

4. Southeast Delaware County School District to receive $94K to upgrade school security

SHARON HILL, Pa. – The Southeast Delaware County School District will receive more than 94-thousand dollars in state grant money to upgrade school security systems.

Elected officials from the county announced the funding on Tuesday during a press conference at the Academy Park High School in Sharon Hill. 

The money will be used to upgrade camera and radio equipment across the district, which District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer says he has seen an "influx of crime." 

With more than 4,300 students in the district, new cameras can be expected in the high school, elementary school, and kindergarten center. The Superintendent of schools says that Academy Park will even receive "window armor," which would allow a teacher to shield the windows in the case of an intruder. 

Community leaders believe that the increase in violence is due to a behavioral and mental health crisis among young people, so hardening the campuses of the district’s school is the first step. 

5. Man sentenced to nearly 2 decades in prison for kidnapping and robbing US postal workers

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced on Tuesday that a 55-year-old Philadelphia man was sentenced to almost 22 years in prison for multiple attacks against US postal workers.  

September 2021, authorities say James Chandler pleaded guilty in to charges in connection with two incidents that occurred on January 11 and February 4, 2021. Authorities say Chandler robbed postal workers using a fake handgun, forcing them into their postal trucks and stealing packages from inside the truck. During the incident in February, Chandler forced a postal worker to drive him several blocks in her postal truck before he fled on foot. 

Chandler's case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve. The goal of the project is to reduce violent crime to make the neighborhood safer for everyone. 

Chandler was charged with two counts of robbery and one count of kidnapping a postal worker and sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison. 

6. Weather Authority: Tuesday evening showers will lead us into a chilly week

PHILADELPHIA – Scattered showers are expected across the Delaware Valley Tuesday night before a drop in temperatures overnight into Wednesday morning. 

Wednesday morning temperatures will linger between high 30s to mid 40s allowing for some snow is parts in North-Central Pennsylvania. 

The sun will come out later into Wednesday, with temperatures 15 degrees below normal for this time with winds up to 25-35 mph. 

A dry end to the week will take us to a milder Friday with a high of 61. 

The weekend will stay mild and sunny with temperatures in the high 60s.