Jailene Holton, a 21-year-old White female from Philadelphia, was a self-described "good kid" who worked at Target and did not go out often, according to her family. Her father said she was trying to get her life together and find herself. On a rare night out with friends on June 28, 2022, she was serving as their designated driver. The group had been to Top Golf and stopped at the Philly Bar and Restaurant on Welsh Road, planning to stay for only about 20 minutes.
Just after 11:30 p.m.,
a dispute broke out inside the bar. Three men had entered, and one became angry when he was told he could not use the pool table because a billiards league was playing. After causing a disturbance, the man was escorted out of the establishment with his two companions. He then walked to a dark-colored pickup truck parked about 200 feet away, retrieved a gun, and fired at least 15 shots into the front of the building.
Jailene Holton had no part in the argument and was standing with her friends toward the back of the bar. Five bullets pierced the front window, and one stray round struck her in the head. She was rushed to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital and underwent emergency surgery, but she died from her injury the following day, June 29, 2022. Another patron inside the bar suffered minor injuries from shattered glass.
Investigators used surveillance footage to identify the shooter. On July 6, 2022, a U.S. Marshals task force located and arrested the suspect, 47-year-old Anthony Nelson, at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Nelson was extradited back to Philadelphia and charged with murder and related offenses.
Anthony Nelson was later convicted of third-degree murder in the death of Jailene Holton. He was subsequently sentenced for the crime.
