Latif Williams: Suspect, 17, in death of Temple Uni student Samuel Collington arrested
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Latif Williams, 17, surrendered to police on Wednesday, December 1 night. He has been arrested. He was suspected of fatally shooting Samuel Collington, 21, of Prospect Park, Delaware County, as he unpacked his vehicle after returning from Thanksgiving break on November 28. He has been charged with murder, robbery and related offenses, court documents show.
"We haven't seen the probable cause affidavit. We have started our own investigation. We believe that no one should draw any judgments about this case just yet. An arrest is just that: an arrest," Williams' attorneys claimed to Action News. Williams of Olney was arrested and charged with a gunpoint carjacking earlier this year, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. Philadelphia has tallied up many incidents of violence this year. In fact, in July, an arson incident that could have turned fatal occurred. Footage from surveillance cameras showed someone setting fire to an American flag hanging in front of a house in Philadelphia. On October 13, a woman was raped on a SEPTA train near Philly and while riders took pictures of the incident, no one called the cops. Fiston Ngoy, 35, was arrested for this crime.
READ MORE
Philadelphia cookout shooting: Who are the victims? 2 dead, 1 hurt after over 100 shots fired
In the case of the Temple University student, Collington, 21, was set to graduate with a degree in political science from Temple's College of Liberal Arts. Collington, who worked as a fellow in the City Commissioners Office, had hoped to become a politician or lawyer. Samuel's mother, Molly Collington, told Action News that her son intended to make a difference after he graduated. "Our son was, and is, our hero and this senseless act crushes us," Molly said. "In his honor, we will do everything to make sure there is justice for Sam," added Molly.
Collington had just returned from Thanksgiving at his family's home and had parked his mother's SUV near the 2200 block of N. Park Avenue on Nov 28, according to police. Williams allegedly approached Collington and after a scuffle, Williams allegedly shot Collington twice in the chest. Collington was pronounced dead at the Temple University Hospital around 2 pm.
Williams had been arrested in August earlier this year. At that time he was in for allegedly carrying out another gunpoint carjacking, court documents show. The case was dropped after a key witness failed to show up to a court hearing, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. Williams was arrested Aug 14 and charged with aggravated assault, robbery, and related counts. His bail was initially set at $200,000 and he was detained and a week later released on house arrest.
Williams also had charges dropped in three other cases stemming from alleged crimes that took place in 2019 and 2020, according to KYW. The District Attorney's Office denied the additional cases were withdrawn by prosecutors.