'Contract killer', 25, is charged with four murders in nine months after 'earning thousands of dollars for his hits' - but cops say he could be responsible for many more killings
Steven Williams, 25, was charged Friday with four Philadelphia murders
He has been described as a 'contract killer' who earned thousands for his hits
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner accused him of a 'streak of wanton, violent crimes' which included four alleged murders in nine months
Williams is charged with shooting dead William Crawford, Jermaine Simmons, Richard Isaac and Leslie Carroll
Police are still searching for a link between the four victims
They believe Williams may be responsible for more deaths
A Philadelphia hit man who allegedly collected thousands of dollars for targeted kills was charged Friday with four separate murders dating back to September 2018.
Steven Williams, 25, has been described as a 'contract killer' who carried out a 'streak of wanton, violent crimes' in Philadelphia over the course of nine months.
According to KYW News radio, police believe the alleged hit man could be responsible for many more deaths.
They are also still hunting for the link between the murdered men.
Williams was already being held at SCI Mahanoy in Frackville for unrelated crimes that took place in Montgomery County but was brought back to Philadelphia Wednesday to face the new charges.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Williams initially denied any knowledge of the crimes but has now said he knows of them.
He reportedly claims, however, that he is being made the 'fall guy' by others.
He was charged with the four murders as well as weapons offenses, conspiracy and tampering with evidence on Friday.
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'Following a complex investigation by Philadelphia Homicide detectives, my office is today able to begin prosecution of Steven Williams, who collected thousands of dollars as a contract killer,' said Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
'His streak of wanton, violent crimes against our communities over the past two-plus years ends today.
'I would like to thank the Philadelphia Police Department for their investigation and my office's Homicide Unit for moving forward with this case.
'Despite the closure of most court functions, we will proceed as quickly as possible to bring him to justice, and to support those who have been mourning his victims for years,' Krasner added.
The first murder Williams has been charged with took place on September 8, 2018, in the 1900 block of Hartel Avenue.
Police responded to a call of a shooting to find 35-year-old William Crawford shot multiple times.
It is believed to have happened early morning as Crawford was getting out of his white Dodge Journey to visit his sister in Rhawnhurst.
Police say he was approached by Williams who was wearing jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt with a white design on the back.
The second alleged murder didn't take place until February 10, 2019, on West Oak Lane.
The victim, Jermaine Simmons, 39, was shot multiple times while sitting in a car in front of his home at about 5pm.
He was taken top Einstein Medical Center where he later died.
The third victim was shot and killed while sitting on the porch of a home on March 25, 2019, at around 4pm in the 100 block of Meehan Street in the East Mount Airy.
The 31-year-old man was later identified as Richard Isaac.
He was shot multiple times in the head and chest.
The fourth and final victim identified by police was shot and killed while sitting in his son's car near Girard College on May 4, 2019.
KYW News radio reports that a car pulled up next to Leslie Caroll, 46, and a passenger inside shot at him.
Police found Carroll suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso.
He was transported to Temple University Hospital where he later died.
Police have released no further information on the potential motives behind the crimes.
The father of first alleged victim William Crawford has said he felt a 'sigh of relief' to know Williams had been charged.
'One thing that helps a little bit more is that he was charged with three other murders. So, my premise has always been to help other families as well as my family,' Stanley Crawford told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Williams is being held without bail and is being represented by the Defender Association of Philadelphia.
He will have a preliminary hearing on July 1.
Philadelphia hit man, 25, is charged with four murders as cops hunt for the link between victims | Daily Mail Online
Steven Williams, 25, was charged Friday with four Philadelphia murders
He has been described as a 'contract killer' who earned thousands for his hits
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner accused him of a 'streak of wanton, violent crimes' which included four alleged murders in nine months
Williams is charged with shooting dead William Crawford, Jermaine Simmons, Richard Isaac and Leslie Carroll
Police are still searching for a link between the four victims
They believe Williams may be responsible for more deaths
A Philadelphia hit man who allegedly collected thousands of dollars for targeted kills was charged Friday with four separate murders dating back to September 2018.
Steven Williams, 25, has been described as a 'contract killer' who carried out a 'streak of wanton, violent crimes' in Philadelphia over the course of nine months.
According to KYW News radio, police believe the alleged hit man could be responsible for many more deaths.
They are also still hunting for the link between the murdered men.
Williams was already being held at SCI Mahanoy in Frackville for unrelated crimes that took place in Montgomery County but was brought back to Philadelphia Wednesday to face the new charges.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Williams initially denied any knowledge of the crimes but has now said he knows of them.
He reportedly claims, however, that he is being made the 'fall guy' by others.
He was charged with the four murders as well as weapons offenses, conspiracy and tampering with evidence on Friday.
[
'Following a complex investigation by Philadelphia Homicide detectives, my office is today able to begin prosecution of Steven Williams, who collected thousands of dollars as a contract killer,' said Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
'His streak of wanton, violent crimes against our communities over the past two-plus years ends today.
'I would like to thank the Philadelphia Police Department for their investigation and my office's Homicide Unit for moving forward with this case.
'Despite the closure of most court functions, we will proceed as quickly as possible to bring him to justice, and to support those who have been mourning his victims for years,' Krasner added.
The first murder Williams has been charged with took place on September 8, 2018, in the 1900 block of Hartel Avenue.
Police responded to a call of a shooting to find 35-year-old William Crawford shot multiple times.
It is believed to have happened early morning as Crawford was getting out of his white Dodge Journey to visit his sister in Rhawnhurst.
Police say he was approached by Williams who was wearing jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt with a white design on the back.
The second alleged murder didn't take place until February 10, 2019, on West Oak Lane.
The victim, Jermaine Simmons, 39, was shot multiple times while sitting in a car in front of his home at about 5pm.
He was taken top Einstein Medical Center where he later died.
The third victim was shot and killed while sitting on the porch of a home on March 25, 2019, at around 4pm in the 100 block of Meehan Street in the East Mount Airy.
The 31-year-old man was later identified as Richard Isaac.
He was shot multiple times in the head and chest.
The fourth and final victim identified by police was shot and killed while sitting in his son's car near Girard College on May 4, 2019.
KYW News radio reports that a car pulled up next to Leslie Caroll, 46, and a passenger inside shot at him.
Police found Carroll suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso.
He was transported to Temple University Hospital where he later died.
Police have released no further information on the potential motives behind the crimes.
The father of first alleged victim William Crawford has said he felt a 'sigh of relief' to know Williams had been charged.
'One thing that helps a little bit more is that he was charged with three other murders. So, my premise has always been to help other families as well as my family,' Stanley Crawford told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Williams is being held without bail and is being represented by the Defender Association of Philadelphia.
He will have a preliminary hearing on July 1.
Philadelphia hit man, 25, is charged with four murders as cops hunt for the link between victims | Daily Mail Online
