$1,000 reward for murder of well-liked employee

PHILADELPHIA - November 19, 2011 (WPVI) -- The murder of a well-liked Philadelphia man still has his employer and co-workers wanting justice.

So far there are no arrests and no motive.

"It's hard for everybody," said John Lindsay. "He was a real popular guy in the neighborhood."

John Lindsay says his employee and tenant, Howard Hunter, worked extremely hard renovating local homes.

"He was an honest, hardworking employee. He worked for me off and on for 30 years. We renovated like 40 buildings together," said Lindsay.

On Monday night, September 5th, 61 year old Howard Hunter was found shot to death inside his 2nd floor apartment at 35 Wiota Street in Powelton.

An unidentified woman was also found dead of gunshot wounds. Police found 14 shell casings, but no gun.

No suspects and no motives, that's why the Citizens Crime Commission is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Calls are anonymous to 215-546-TIPS.

"Somebody had to see something or knows something, and we're asking them to come forward. You just can't have this kind of open warfare on the streets of Philadelphia," says John Appledorn. "And if the community doesn't come forward to clear some of this up, they are going to be living that way."

It's not clear if Hunter has any living relatives in the area, but it is clear that his employer misses him and is appealing for help to find his killer.

"You got to do what you got to do. This is not the kind of person you want out in the neighborhood. Everybody will be safer if he's arrested," said Lindsay.

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crimefighters, homicide, philadelphia, pennsylvania, crime

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