A 24-year-old man has been arrested in Philadelphia in the brutal murder of a 22-year-old transgender woman who was beaten and shot in the back multiple times, officials said on Monday.
Police spokeswoman Tanya Little said homicide investigators had received a tip on Sunday that led to the arrest of 24-year-old Pedro Redding for his alleged involvement in the murder of Kiesha Jenkins. Redding, who has four prior arrests for narcotics, aggravated assault, robbery, and a weapons violation, has been charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, a weapons charge, and related offenses.
“The motive in this case appears to be robbery. The investigation continues for others involved,” Little said.
Keisha Jenkins, 22, was attacked at about 2:30 a.m. ET on October 6 near Hunting Park in North Philadelphia. Investigators said Jenkins was beaten by a group of up to six people before being shot in the back multiple times. She was rushed to Einstein Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 2:53 a.m. ET.
Police previously said they did not yet know whether Jenkins’ murder was a hate crime.
A $20,000 reward has been issued for information leading to an arrest and conviction in connection with Jenkins’ murder.
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