In the spring of 2015, a hardworking Chinese food delivery driver's life was tragically cut short in the Crescentville neighborhood of Philadelphia. Rendong Zheng, a 49-year-old man, was making a delivery for New China Restaurant on the night of April 23rd. Little did he know, this routine delivery to the Hill Creek Apartments would be his last. As he arrived, he was met with a hail of gunfire, with at least a dozen shots fired in his direction.
One of the bullets struck Zheng in the shoulder.
Despite his injury, Zheng attempted to flee the scene, but his strength failed him and he lost consciousness, his vehicle crashing through a fence. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead a short time later. The senseless act of violence sent shockwaves through the community, with local business owners expressing their grief and fear for their own employees' safety.
The investigation into Rendong Zheng's murder quickly led to two teenage suspects, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old. The younger of the two, Sahmir Walker, cooperated with prosecutors, detailing the events of that fatal night. He testified that his accomplice, 15-year-old Tyquail Duffy, had shown him a gun and announced his intention to rob the delivery driver. After Zheng delivered the food, Duffy allegedly forced Walker to confront the deliveryman. Walker stated that Duffy demanded money from Zheng, and when Zheng replied, 'I want no trouble. I just want to leave,' a shot was fired.
Both teenagers were charged as adults with murder, conspiracy, robbery, and theft. During a preliminary hearing, the emotional toll of the crime was palpable as Rendong Zheng's wife, Xiuhong Wang, overcome with grief and anger, ran towards the bulletproof glass separating her from the two defendants. In exchange for his cooperation, Sahmir Walker's case was moved to juvenile court where he faced a robbery charge, and the second-degree murder charge against him was dropped.
Tyquail Duffy was held for trial on all charges. In a surprising turn of events, a jury acquitted Duffy of murder but found him guilty of robbery, conspiracy, and carrying a gun on the streets. He was also convicted of witness intimidation and making terroristic threats against Walker's aunt. In August 2017, Tyquail Duffy, then 18, was sentenced to 17 and a half to 35 years in prison for his role in the armed robbery that led to the death of Rendong Zheng. The judge also ordered him to pay over $7,000 for Zheng's funeral expenses.
