Police ID 19-Year-Old Suspect in Murder of Gay Philadelphia Journalist Josh Kruger

Philadelphia police have identified a suspect in the killing of gay journalist Josh Kruger and have issued an arrest warrant for him, they announced Friday.

The suspect is Robert Davis, 19, who remains at large. “The warrant includes charges for murder and related crimes,” The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kruger, 39, was shot to death early Monday at his row house in the city’s Point Breeze neighborhood. Police believe he was shot inside the home and went outside to seek help. They found him collapsed on the sidewalk, having been wounded seven times, and took him to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Police say Kruger and Davis knew each other.

Davis had been experiencing homelessness and other problems, and Kruger “was just trying to help him get through life,” said Lt. Hamilton Marshmond of the homicide unit, according to the Inquirer. Another police source, speaking to the paper anonymously, said Davis and Kruger had been in a relationship.

Police haven’t determined a motive in Kruger’s killing or how Davis got into Kruger’s home, which showed no sign of forced entry, Marshmond said. They don’t believe Davis was staying there, however, he said. Another person of interest in the case was cleared, and surveillance video, plus information from Kruger’s friends and relatives, resulted in Davis being identified as the suspect.

Kruger was a respected and award-winning journalist and activist. He had written for numerous news outlets, including the Inquirer, The Philadelphia Citizen, Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia City Paper, The Advocate, and Plus (a sister publication to The Advocate). Many of his articles dealt with LGBTQ+ issues and his experiences of homelessness and living with HIV. He had also worked for the city of Philadelphia in departments including the mayor’s office, the Office of Homeless Services, and the Department of Public Health. He has been memorialized by Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, and many others. There will be a celebration of his life October 29 at the William Way LGBT Community Center.

Davis “is considered armed and dangerous,” Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate reports. Anyone who sees him should not approach him but instead call 911, according to the station. Those who have information that could lead police to him are asked to call (215) 686-TIPS (8477). There is a $20,000 reward for information that results in his arrest.