Arrest in fatal stabbing days before pope visit

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Monday, December 14, 2015
VIDEO: Arrest made in Center City stabbing
A homeless man is under arrest for allegedly stabbing a stranger near City Hall, just days before Pope Francis' visit.

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police have made an arrest in a fatal stabbing in Center City that happened just days before Pope Francis' visit.

52-year-old Reginald Bell is now charged for the September 24th attack that resulted in the death of 47-year-old William Vaughn.

The stabbing happened at 6:42 a.m. at the SEPTA bus stop at the corner of Broad and Arch streets, which is also near the JFK Behavioral Health Center.

The scene was also near the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where thousands of people had gathered for the World Meeting of Families.

Police released video of the suspect in a fatal Center City stabbing.

Police say Vaughn had accompanied his girlfriend to the bus stop when he got into an argument with the suspect.

He was stabbed in the chest and later succumbed to his injuries.

In surveillance video released by police the suspect can be seen on the concourse before boarding the Broad Street subway at the Tasker/Morris station. Video also shows him on the subway and when he exits at the Race/Vine station.

Then almost a month later, on November 23, SEPTA police officers stopped Bell after noticing he looked similar to a suspect in a patrol alert.

Bell was taken into custody and ultimately charged with murder and related offenses.