Suspect in Haverford Twp. killing, Overbrook Park shooting arrested in Georgia
HAVERFORD TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- U.S. Marshals have apprehended the man wanted for a killing in Haverford Township, Delaware County that followed a burst of gunfire in the Overbrook Park section of Philadelphia late last month.
Derrick Rollins, 24, was taken into custody Tuesday in Decatur, Georgia. Authorities say he initially attempted to hide from marshals, but eventually surrendered to K9 units after he was spotted by surveillance teams at an apartment complex with a female associate.
Rollins has addresses in the 5100 block of Locust Street and the 4000 block of North A Street in Philadelphia. His arrest was based upon information developed by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia suggesting he had fled to Georgia.
Rollins is currently being held in the Dekalb County Jail pending extradition.
This all began around 5 p.m. Saturday, July 29th, in the 1600 block of North 77th Street.
According to police, a witness in Philadelphia's Overbrook Park section saw a man in a red hooded sweatshirt, identified as Rollins, get out of a gray Volvo and walk up to a neighbor's window and peer inside. That witness called his neighbor and made him aware of the situation.
Rollins left the area so, police say, the witness and the neighbor got into a car and went looking for the Volvo.
Police say they found the car, and the driver, at 77th and Sherwood and the homeowner confronted him. It led to an argument, and Rollins allegedly pulled out a gun and fired 17 shots at the two men. They flee the area, leaving the city and enter Haverford Township.
They eventually lose Rollins, police say.
Then, around 6 p.m., 29-year-old John Le was shot at an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Haverford Road in Haverford Township. He was there visiting a friend, police said.
Rollins matches the description of the Overbrook Park shooter, police said.
Officers arrived on the scene to find a friend performing CPR on Le, and medics rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police have a clear image of the man wanted in connection with the deadly shooting, identified as Rollins, who was caught on video running away from the scene after the crime, heading northbound up Haverford Road towards Wynnewood.
The video shows Le leaving a pizza shop after picking up an order. When he exits, the man identified as Rollins is seen walking several feet ahead of him.
Investigators don't know what happened after the man and Le walked out of the view of the surveillance cameras.
"We don't know what transpired, but it's very short and the sidewalk leading up to the apartment is not very long. There was some sort of confrontation. Was it a robbery? We don't know that yet," Viola told Action News this week.
Family members of John Le describe him as gentle, kind and hardworking. The Temple grad had just landed a new job as an accountant.
Several times a week after work, Le could be found at Fairmount Park's Sedgley Woods disc golf course. Those who know him say he loved the fresh air and the competition.
Anyone with information is asked to call 610-565-6500 or the Citizens Crime Commission 215-546-TIPS.
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