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Second suspect named in murder of community advocate Winnie Harris

October 13, 2017

        Winnie Harris

Police have issued an arrest warrant for a second suspect in the murder of well-known community advocate Winnie Harris.

Isaiah Reels, 30, is wanted in connection to the February 2017 murder. Earlier this week, police announced the arrest of 39-year-old Nelson Giddings, who was already in police custody in Delaware County on unrelated charges. Giddings has been charged with murder, robbery and weapons offenses.

Police say Giddings and Reels broke into Harris’s home late on Feb. 2 and shot her when she confronted them. Harris, 65, was found in her home on the 300 block of North Holly Street the following day. 

Police now believe that the suspects broke into the wrong home, leading to the confrontation with Harris, who lived alone.

Giddings has a lengthy police record that includes burglary and assault convictions dating back to 1997.

Harris was a longtime Powelton resident and green space advocate. She worked as the executive director of West Philadelphia based nonprofit UC Green at the time of her death.

In May, police released and distributed a flyer asking for the public’s help with information on two persons of interest in relation to the murder.

Police are asking anyone who has any information on Reels to contact the Homicide Division at 215-686-3334 in regards to his whereabouts.

2 Comments For This Post

  1. Michael Lynch Says:

    I bet there is a recent photo of Mr. Reels somewhere which would aid in identifying him and aid in his capture,

  2. WPL Says:

    Police didn’t provide the photo. We’ll post it as soon as it becomes available.

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