14-year-old girl charged with murder of 73-year-old man; 2nd teen charged in connection with brutal traffic cone beating



A 14-year-old girl has been charged with third-degree murder in connection with last month's brutal traffic cone beating of a 73-year-old man in Philadelphia, WCAU-TV reported.

The girl is the second teenager charged with murder in this case; a 14-year-old boy also was charged with murder after surrendering to police earlier this week. The girl turned herself in around 11 a.m. Wednesday, WCAU added.

The station said both the boy and girl are being charged as adults.

What's the background?

Teenagers were caught on video beating James Lambert with a traffic cone on a north Philadelphia street just after 2:30 a.m. June 24; he died the following day, WCAU-TV reported in a separate story.

Sources told the station that Lambert was walking past a basketball court when he asked the teens why they were out so late.

\u201cAuthorities have now charged a second teenager in the deadly beating of 73-year-old James Lambert in North Philadelphia. @RossDiMattei has the latest details. \nhttps://t.co/8kYMVVyFnZ\u201d
— CBS Philly (@CBS Philly) 1657795601

The first attacker is seen in the clip striking Lambert — who's blurred in the video — with a traffic cone as the victim tries to cross the street and get away from the group. After Lambert lands on the sidewalk, another teen appears to use a cellphone to take a photo or video of Lambert. A third teen is seen picking up the same traffic cone and throwing it at the victim.

"The teens struck the victim several times with objects, knocking the victim to the ground causing injuries to his head," police said in a news blotter. "The victim was transported to the hospital where he died of his injuries the following day."

The video also shows the suspects leaving the scene — and two of them appear to be smiling:

Image source: Philadelphia police

The teens apparently gathered after the attack, and one was seen acting out what appeared to be a "stumbling person," the station said.

"It's so evil; how could you do that to a person?" Elsie Stephens, the victim's older sister told WCAU soon after the video of the attack on Lambert was released, adding, "You have a mother and a father; how could you just beat a man until you take off half of his skull?"

Lawyer sheds more light

Two other youths surrendered to police as well: The 10-year-old brother of the 14-year-old boy charged with murder as well as a 13-year-old girl. Both of them have been released.

Donte Mills — the attorney for the 13-year-old girl — told WCAU on video that it was suggested that the group of teens go over to Lambert and "mess with him a little bit."

But Mills said not only did his client try to stop the group from approaching Lambert, but also that she tried to prevent the traffic cone attack on him, called 911 after fell to the ground, and stayed with him until emergency personnel arrived.

Anything else?

The following are additional images from the police department's video:

Image source: Philadelphia police

Image source: Philadelphia police

Police said if you spot the teens from the video or accompanying images, call 911 immediately, WCAU reported. Those with information about the attack can submit anonymous tips by phone or text to 215-686-(8477) or online, the station added.

Report: 14-year-old boy to be charged with murdering 73-year-old man. Victim was chased by gang of teens, beaten with traffic cone.



A 14-year-old boy is being processed on charges of third-degree murder and conspiracy in connection with the brutal beating of 73-year-old James Lambert in north Philadelphia late last month, KYW-TV reported, citing sources close to the investigation.

Teenagers were caught on video beating Lambert with a traffic cone on a street just after 2:30 a.m. June 24; he died the following day, WCAU-TV reported.

Image source: WCAU-TV video screenshot, composite

What are the details?

The 14-year-old boy and and his 10-year-old brother surrendered to authorities around 4 p.m Monday, KYW reported. Sources told the station that the 10-year-old brother has since been released.

Image source: KYW-TV video screenshot

Police added to KYW that the brothers were among seven juveniles — four males and three females — seen on security video of the deadly attack on Lambert along the 2100 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

When KYW asked District Attorney Larry Krasner if he expects to charge any of the teens with murder, he replied, “Certainly on the very limited information we have, it seems very likely, yes."

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry KrasnerImage source: KYW-TV video screenshot

Elsie Stephens, the victim’s grieving sister, told the perpetrators to "turn yourself in. How could you let us suffer like this? You took him away from us."

Elsie StephensImage source: KYW-TV video screenshot

Officials told KYW they've been in contact with some, but not all, of those seen assaulting Lambert, and police added that they expect others in the video to turn themselves in as well.

What happened during and after the attack?

The first attacker is seen in the clip striking Lambert — who's blurred in the video — with a traffic cone as the victim tries to cross the street and get away from the group.

Image source: WCAU-TV video screenshot

After Lambert lands on the sidewalk, another teen appears to use a cellphone to take a photo or video of Lambert.

Image source: WCAU-TV video screenshot

A third teen is seen picking up the same traffic cone and throwing it at the victim.

Image source: WCAU-TV video screenshot

"The teens struck the victim several times with objects, knocking the victim to the ground causing injuries to his head," police said in a news blotter. "The victim was transported to the hospital where he died of his injuries the following day."

The video also shows the suspects leaving the scene — and two of them appear to be smiling:

Image source: Philadelphia police

The teens apparently gathered after the attack, and one was seen acting out what appeared to be a "stumbling person," the station said.

Police said they hope video of the attack — and a $20,000 reward — will help locate those responsible, WCAU reported.

If you spot the teens from the video or accompanying images, the station said to call 911 immediately. Those with information about the attack can submit anonymous tips by phone or text to 215-686-(8477) or online, WCAU said.

The following are additional images from the police department's video:

Image source: Philadelphia police

Image source: Philadelphia police

Teens beat 73-year-old man to death with traffic cone; two of them grin as they take off from scene



A group of teenagers were caught on video beating a 73-year-old man with a traffic cone late last month — and the victim died the following day, WCAU-TV reported.

What are the details?

Philadelphia police said James Lambert was walking across Cecil B. Moore Avenue near North 21st Street just after 2:30 a.m. June 24 when he was ambushed, the station reported.

Police on Friday released video of the attack, the station said, adding that the culprits appear to be three girls and four boys believed to be in their early to mid teens.

The first attacker is seen in the clip striking Lambert — who's blurred in the video — with a traffic cone as the victim tries to cross the street and get away from the group.

Image source: WCAU-TV video screenshot

After Lambert lands on the sidewalk, another teen appears to use a cellphone to take a photo or video of Lambert.

Image source: WCAU-TV video screenshot

A third teen is seen picking up the same traffic cone and throwing it at the victim.

Image source: WCAU-TV video screenshot

"The teens struck the victim several times with objects, knocking the victim to the ground causing injuries to his head," police said in a news blotter. "The victim was transported to the hospital where he died of his injuries the following day."

\u201cThis is James \u201cSimmie\u201d Lambert, the man who was killed. \n\nHis family tells me they\u2019re heart broken and they saw him just hours before he was attacked.\n\nThey\u2019re in disbelief a group of kids did this.\n\n@NBCPhiladelphia\u201d
— Danny Freeman (@Danny Freeman) 1657298402

What happened next?

The video also shows the suspects leaving the scene — and two of them appear to be smiling:

Image source: Philadelphia police

The teens apparently gathered after the attack, and one was seen acting out what appeared to be a "stumbling person," the station said.

Police said they hope video of the attack — and a $20,000 reward — will help locate those responsible, WCAU reported.

If you spot the teens from the video or accompanying images, the station said to call 911 immediately. Those with information about the attack can submit anonymous tips by phone or text to 215-686-(8477) or online, WCAU said.

The following are additional images from the police department's video:

Image source: Philadelphia police

Image source: Philadelphia police