A Lower Moyamensing teen is believed to have slain his girlfriend and their unborn child this morning.
“He believes he’s the father and he wasn’t happy about that news,” Capt. James Clark of Homicide Division said of Aaron Fitzpatrick at a press conference this afternoon at Police Headquarters, 750 Race St.
Fitzpatrick, 19, of the 700 block of Tree Street, is believed to have been dating Tiffany Gillespie, 24, of the 2300 block of South Mildred Street for several months, Clark said. Early this morning, Fitzpatrick visited his pregnant girlfriend at her home that she shared with her two young children, her mother, possibly her mother’s boyfriend and one or two other relatives.
Police believe the two, who, Clark said, have had a “tumultuous relationship,” may have gone down to the basement to chat when Fitzpatrick allegedly shot her once in the head and fled from the home.
Police had been called to Gillespie’s home for domestic disputes previously, the captain said. Officers returned to the location at 2:40 this morning and medics pronounced Gillespie dead 14 minutes later.
“We knew she had a lot of ongoing issues with her boyfriend, so we focused on him right away,” Clark said.
Police brought Fitzpatrick in for questioning at noon and were awaiting the District Attorney’s Office to formally charge him with at least Gillespie’s murder upon completion of her autopsy.
“We don’t know how many months pregnant she is,” Clark said. “We’re still waiting for the Medical Examiner’s report to come back.”
*Feb. 23 Update*
Fitzpatrick has multiple addresses on his record including the 700 block of Tree Street and the 2000 block of South Garnet Street, but was processed under 2000 block of South Eighth Street location.
He was charged with murder, first-degree murder of an unborn child, possession of an instrument of crime and firearm violations, according to court records. He is being held in Northeast Philly’s Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility without bail.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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1. LaQueefAlot said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:20AM
“Finally some white on white crime”
2. Anonymous said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 08:00AM
“And does this make you happy?? Families destroyed , there should not be mention of race.”
3. Anonymous said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 08:01AM
“And this matters how to you?????”
4. Anonymous said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 10:37AM
“a mother is dead, children are without a mother, and another mother has to bury her child, and all LaQueefAlot can say is "finally some white on white crime"...The ignorance of this society never ceases to amaze me..This is why the younger generation is the way it is. Race, color, creed, it does not matter. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families involved...may you all find peace..”
5. Anonymous said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:57PM
“WOW ITS 2012 HOW BOUT AN UNBORN BABY AND TWO OTHER KIDS LOST THEIR MOTHER PEOPLE LIKE YOU SHOULD KILL YOURSELF I HATE SMALL MINDED PEOPLE DOES THAT MAKE YOU PROUD PIECE OF S***”
6. Anonymous said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 01:02PM
“#1 Little do you know that the murdered girl was white and the father is black. Always about race. It's disgraceful how people in this day and age think. If you don't have anything positive to say then I suggest not saying anything at all. A young mother lost her life and left behind 2 little ones. All because the father didn't want to be a daddy....”
7. baron davis said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 05:48PM
“This act further proves what people miss about the sanctity of sex. It can lead to the creation of another life, and its practitioners should know and accept that very possible outcome. Stop being so carefree.”
8. rock said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 08:04PM
“Saw the scumbags' mug on t.v., yeah he's black, figures.”
9. brushmanant said... on Feb 18, 2012 at 12:18PM
“what's this world coming to, granit the young generation are all screwed up, im a parent and i blame myself for the way my children turned out, you see i was 'nt taught the values my parents before me were taught therefore thier lies the problem, parents need to step up and take responsiblity. black white whats the difference lets stop the killing each other. or is it were over populated.”
10. Anonymous said... on Feb 18, 2012 at 08:48PM
“Philly is ghetto! Especially South Philly. I'm outta' here....”
11. Anonymous said... on Feb 23, 2012 at 10:49AM
“I'm looking at his photo and I'm thinking to myself....I'm really color blind or LaQueffAlot is really stupid! Yep....LaQueffAlot is stupid! And who cares what skin color the fool was that pulled the trigger, the fact of the matter is, your stupid and a mother to 2 children are dead!”
12. Anonymous said... on Feb 23, 2012 at 11:39AM
“maybe if it were your family member you would feel different!!you see tiffany was my family she was my NIECE YOU LOW LIFE. HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS TO YOUR SISTER,NIECE,COUSIN OR MOTHER.NO ONE SHOULD BE KILLED FOR BRINGING IN ONE OF GODS CHILDREN... ALL I COULD SAY IS I HOPE HE IS MENTALLY TORCHERED FOR WHAT HE DID. HE WILL HAVE TO FACE GOD ONE DAY FOR HIS JUDGEMENT,AND I PRAY HE SENDS HIM TO HELL!!!!!”
13. Anonymous said... on Feb 24, 2012 at 08:10PM
“Tiffany was a great person with a lot of personality. She was a friend who was turning her life around for the better and was always a great mother. Tiff could hold her own but not up to a gun. May you Aaron Fitzpatrick get what is comming to you.Aaron you messed up so many peoples lives Her kids lives your unborn babys life her mother and her family and your family what were you thinking. you did not want to be a dad then dont have sex or use protection. I pray you never get out. Love you Tiffany RIP”