MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Who was James Lambert? Teen, 14, charged with murder after man, 73, is beaten to death by SEVEN teens

Philadelphia police have urged the public to help identify these youngsters after announcing a reward of $20,000 for leading them

Update: There has been a development in the James Lambert murder. Two brothers, aged 10 and 14, surrendered to the Philadelphia PD for the vicious murder on Monday, July 11, at 4 pm. The police is yet to determine what role the two siblings played in the fatal attack. However, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner told CBS 3 Philly, "This is a very, very active investigation. Things are happening hour by hour."

Sources close to the investigation have also confirmed that the 10-year-old has been released from police custody but his 14-year-old brother is being processed on charges of third-degree murder and conspiracy. Krasner had said that they could likely face murder charges according to the "very limited information" that they have right now. As previously shared by the police, the group of seven teenagers included 4 males and 3 females. Investigators are hard at work to identify the rest of the culprits which might include more minors. Lambert was hit with a traffic cone several times and died of blunt force trauma. 

-----------------------

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: A 73-year-old man was beaten to death by seven teenagers with a traffic cone on June 24, 2022, as seen in the footage released by the police almost 2 weeks after the attack. The man, identified as James Lambert, was pronounced dead the very next day and the cause was said to be blunt force trauma. Philadelphia police, after 2 weeks of looking into the matter, is now urging the public to help identify these youngsters after announcing a reward of $20,000 for leading them. 

Philadephia police Department told NBC10 that Lambert was walking across Cecil B Moore Avenue near North 21st Street around 2.38 am on Friday, June 24, when he was attacked by a group of seven menacing teenagers who seemed to have attacked the elderly without any provocation. The police that those responsible for the attack were a group of 4 boys and 3 girls and ranged somewhere between "13 to 17". The video that the police shared first shows a young person attacking Lambert as he walked away from the group trying to make it to the other side of the street. Merely seconds after that, another young person is seen hurling a traffic cone at Lambert. As the victim walks along the sidewalk in an attempt to get away from the group, he's chased by a young person with a traffic cone over his head. 

ALSO READ

Millie Bobby Brown rocks thong bikini as she kisses boyfriend Jake Bongiovi during Italy vacation

Who was Carson Dunn? Boy, 10, tragically dies after falling off floating structure at Camp Dearborn

The Philadelphia police said in a web post, "Victim was attacked by four Black male and three Black female teen offenders. The teens struck the victim several times with objects, knocking the victim to the ground causing injuries to his head. The victim was transported to the hospital where he died of his injuries the following day." The web post clearly mentioned that, "THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA IS OFFERING A REWARD OF $20,000 LEADING TO AN ARREST AND CONVICTION FOR EVERY HOMICIDE." They even took to their Twitter account to share the prize money, "Wanted: Suspects for Homicide in the 22nd District [VIDEO]"

James Lambert was seen hours ago by his family

NBC10's Danny Freeman revealed that Lambert's family called him 'Simmie' and that they saw him just hours before this horrific incident. Freeman tweeted, "This is James “Simmie” Lambert, the man who was killed. His family tells me they’re heartbroken and they saw him just hours before he was attacked. They’re in disbelief a group of kids did this.  @NBCPhiladelphia" The police have urged the public to come forth with leads.

TOP STORIES

The horrifying story of Chrystul Kizer: How a sex trafficking victim ended up becoming the accused

Woman scarred after filming viral video of SAVAGE shark attack on seal off Nauset Beach

The footage that PPD revealed shows the youngsters leaving the scene. One hops on his scooter and takes off, the other is seen running down the sidewalk and just like that, the group is scattered. However, the group once again resurfaces when a young person is seen enacting a stumbling person. So far, the police hasn't given any concrete information but hope that the image provided would help them reach the culprits.