The victim's brother describes 22-year-old Selvin Lopez as the sweetest man in the world.
Julio Lopez says Selvin never had a problem with anyone and now he's dead over a few dollars in his backpack.
It was a bit after 12:30 this morning when Selvin returned home from working the nightshift at the Wendy's in Royersford.
He was outside his home, speaking to his Uncle Estuardo, when two men and a woman approached.
As they tried grabbing Selvin's backpack, Estuardo started calling 911 on his cell phone.
He says that as he put the phone to his ear, one of the attackers put a gun to his head.
Selvin then chased the thieves, caught them 1/2 a block away, and started trying to yank the bag from their grasp.
Right then, Selvin was shot at point blank range in the stomach.
He was pronounced dead at Phoenixville Hospital.
Police Chief William Mossman says murder cases are unusual in Phoenixville, especially ones as senseless as this.
"To be killed over the contents of your backpack is not worth it, the lives that have been destroyed, and when we catch the perpetrators their lives are going to be destroyed, as well," Mossman said.
The suspects are described as:
Suspect #1: Black male, mid 20's, 5'2 to 5'6, thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants
Suspect #2: White male, mid 20's, 5'2 to 5'6, possibly wearing a gray sweatshirt
Suspect #3: White female, mid 20's, 5'6, thin build, possibly wearing a gray sweatshirt
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Phoenixville Police Department Detective Division at 610-933-1180.
Meantime, Julio Lopez says he wants everyone to know that Selvin would always help out someone in need. He says, [translated] "People need to know that my brother was a good man. The world lost a good man." The family is asking the community for donations to pay for a funeral.
Donations can be sent to:
Pastor Melvi Cocar
Iglesia De Dios Manantiales de Viva Eterna
374 Hall Street
Phoenixville, PA 19460
