Philadelphia 15-year-olds murdered married father in failed robbery: cops

BY DOYLE MURPHY
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, March 19, 2015, 10:14 PM


PHILADELPHIA POLICE
Brandon Smith (l.) and Tyfine Hamilton, both 15, face murder charges in the death of James Stuhlman, who was shot and killed while walking his dog in Philadelphia.


Two 15-year-old Philadelphia boys face murder charges for shooting a man while he walked his dog, firing the final round as he pleaded for his life, authorities said.

The cold-hearted teens and a 14-year-old boy targeted 51-year-old James Stuhlman for a robbery after they tired of playing basketball, police Captain James Clark told reporters.

“At one point, he did plead for his life,” Clark said Thursday at a news conference. “He said, ‘Please don’t shoot me, please don’t shoot me,’ and they shot still shot him one more time.”

Cops busted Brandon Smith on murder charges, but the hunt is on for the alleged triggerman, Tyfine Hamilton.

He’s considered “armed and extremely dangerous,” Clark said.



The 14-year-old faces lesser charges and has cooperated with detectives, police said.

Stuhlman usually brought his 13-year-old daughter along on the nightly walks through the city’s Overbrook neighborhood, but on March 12 he decided to go alone — a decision that may have saved her life.
The three boys were prowling the streets for a victim, cops said.

They considered another, younger man but settled on Stuhlman, because he seemed like an easier target with his little dog.

The married father struggled briefly with the boys before Tyfine allegedly opened fire. They ran as Stuhlman crumpled.

FAMILY HANDOUT
James Stuhlman was gunned down on March 12 while walking his dog in Philadelphia.


Cops found the man still clutching the dog leash and a flashlight, NBC 10 reported. His faithful pet lay trembling next to his lifeless body.

Police on Wednesday raided a home where the boys reportedly lived and confiscated handguns and assault rifles, authorities said.

The Philadelphia Inquirer spoke by phone with Tyfine’s father, who claimed his son was a habitual truant from Overbrook High School and had gone to live with his mother.

The frustrated dad said he didn’t know where Tyfine is now.

“If he would listen, then he wouldn’t be where he’s at,” he told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Cops said the robbery was pointless — the boys didn’t even get anything from Stuhlman before they ran.
“For no other reason than these kids wanted to rob somebody, he ended up losing his life,” Clark said. “His daughter will never see her father again. That is really sad.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...icle-1.2156313